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OUR 



MEXICAN MUDDLE 



BY 

HENRY MORRIS 



1916 
LAIRD & LEE (inc.) Publishers 

CHICAGO 






Copyright, 1916, by 
LAIED & LEE, Inc. 




,^0 



■/i 

OCT 18 1916 



CU438939 



yr-^rT^i- 





\ 



PANCHO VILLA— OUR PET BANDIT 



GUARANTEE OF PROTECTION 

Timid souls always anticipate catastrophes which never occur. 
Therefore men who might serve God and man become cowards in 
advance and fear to do the thing which high heaven and the world 
would extol. 

Even now, men say to me: '^ Don't try to reveal the facts re- 
lating to Mexico, for if it be necessary to involve political poten- 
tialities, you may get into trouble.'* 

So timid souls seek to warn me. 

But I am not to be diverted from telling the truth about 
Mexico and in revealing in full the infamies of political Washington 
in this connection. 

Hence, I assume full responsibility for every word published in 
this volume. By this I mean moral, personal and legal responsi- 
bility. 

Furthermore, I am prepared to prove every contention and 
every statement herein recorded relating to the oral asseverations, 
or the acts, or lack of action on the part of those exposed. 

Henry Morris. 



ui 



SYNOPSIS 

INTRODUCTION 

PAGE 

Know the Truth — ^Remarks on Humanity — Barbarity Sanctioned — Is Mr. 
Wilson a Political Humanitarian? xi 



CHAPTER I. 

Understand Why Mexico Is Revolutionary — The Author as an Authority 
on Mexico — Barbarous Practices — Mexico vs. Cuba — Weyler vs. Villa — 
Americans Unprotected — How the Commander of an English Warship 
Saved the Lives of Americans 1 



CHAPTER II. 

Brief Ethnological Sketch — Mexicans Descended from the Indus-Mongo- 
lians — The Mexican a Poor Foe, no Match in Battle Against Americans 9 



CHAPTER III. 

Of the Military Leaders and the Hoax About War — How Political Wash- 
ington Avoided the So-Called War — Important Facts Revealed — Early 
History — Key to* Peculiarities of the Mexican People — The Great Napo- 
leon responsible for the Independence of Mexico — Examples of Mexican 
Temperament and Unreliability 13 



CHAPTER rv. 

Chronological Events Covering the Period from 1823 Until the Madero 
Revolt — A List of Supreme Butchers — Diaz a Marvelous Man 27 



vi SYNOPSIS 

CHAPTER V. 

PAGE 

Not Too Proud to Fight — A Few Thousand Texans Defeated the Entire 
Military Power of Mexico, Going to Disprove the Political Canard tO 
the Effect that 500,000 Soldiers and Years of Fighting Would Be Neces- 
sary to Defeat Mexico — The Truth as to the Occupation of Vera Cruz — 
Mexico Obtains from the United States Ninety Per Cent of all Muni- 
tions to Be Used in Killing Unarmed and Defenseless Americans, or Our 
Soldiers — The Tale of the Alamo — Revolutionary History Again — What 
Has Wilson Done to Alleviate Conditions in Mexico? 33 

CHAPTER VI. 

Events Covering the War of 1846 — The Attitude of Mexicans Towards 
Americans — President Polk vs. Mr. Wilson — Huge Graft Deals Manip- 
ulated with Santa Ana — Our Early Blunders with Mexico — History 
Being Repeated — Governmental Rascality 42 

CHAPTER VII. 

An Expose of the Fallacy of Mexican Preparedness — How Mexico Re- 
garded Santa Ana — The Battle of Buena Vista — A Mexican Idea of 
Victory 50 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Mexico vs. America, 1847 and 1914 — An Up to Date Comparison — How We 
Subjugated Mexico with 15,000 Soldiers in 1847 — Was Presidential Ex- 
aggeration — Mexico vs. United States a Political Game — Our Shameful 
Timidity — Mexicans Regard All Americans as Cowards — Who is Respon- 
sible, Madero, Maximilian, Huerta? — Mr. Wilson Ignorant of True Con- 
ditions — Humanitarians and More Revolution 59 

CHAPTER IX. 

Concerning Execution — Murder for Fun — Why Mexico Can Never Establish 
a Civilized and Dependable Government and Political Washington 
■Watchfully Waits" 69 



( c 



SYNOPSIS vii 

CHAPTER X. 

PAGE 

Religious Complication, How the Catholic Clergy Are Persecuted and Re- 
ligious Liberty Denied All Sects — The Religious Situation Fully Ex- 
plained^ — ^Wilson, Villa, and the Padres — Madero the Trickster — How 
Americans Fail to Understand Mexico 75 

CHAPTER XI. 

Mexico Can Only Be Redeemed by Anglo-Saxons — Mexico a Paradise, 
but the Mexicans of the Lower Class Filthy and Degenerate — Mr. 
Wilson Misled and Misinformed Regarding Mexico 81 

CHAPTER XII. 
The Jew in Mexico 85 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Some Facts Concerning Madero, One Time President of Mexico, and Reve- 
lation of Political Deals with This Government — Madero 's Duplicity 
Exposed, His Death Inevitable 87 

CHAPTER XIY. 

The Execution of Madero — A Presentation of Mr. Wilson as a Corrector 
of Destiny — Facts Suppressed by Washington — Jockeying with Carranza 
— President Wilson in Anger, He Appears Before Congress — Too Proud 
to Fight 96 

CHAPTER XV. 

The Revelation of an Ambassador, Henry Lane Wilson, to President Wilson 
— Huerta Should Have Been Recognized 103 



viii SYNOPSIS 

CHAPTEE XVI. 

Page 

President Wilson on Mexico — ^Excerpts Culled from Various Sources, Au- 
thorized Statements, Press Reports, Etc., AU of Which Prove that Mr. 
Wilson Was in Error — Comments on Mr, Wilson 's Attitude — Mr. Blythes ' 
Interview, How We Favored Mexican Cut-Throats — Mr. Wilson's Policy 
Has Only Tended to Intensify Every Evil and Increase Disorder — Mr. 
Wilson Prefers Chinese to Europeans, He Criticizes Californians Who 
Approve Chinese Labor — ^Villa Double Crossed — Political Deals with 
Villa and Carranza 108 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Mr. Wilson on Mexico, Continued, with Quotations and Comments — Edi- 
torial Comments — Very Interesting and Important Revelations — China 
vs. Mexico 122 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

Villa the Pet Bandit — Comment on '* Barbarous Mexico" — Some Unfa- 
miliar Facts — Rudalfo Fierro, Villa's Chief Executioner — How Villa 
and Carranza Executed Political Obstructionists — How the Great 
Haciendos Were Divided — The Peons Got Nothing 127 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Wilson Confesses — ^Lansing 's Note to Carranza — Gov. Colquitt Calls Mexico 
Policy Crime — Theodore Roosevelt on Wilson — Wilson Arming Mexi- 
cans Like Burgoyne in '77, Says Senator Lippitt of Rhode Island — 
Outrages on Women and American Citizens — Political Excuses 132 

CHAPTER XX. 

Mr. Wilson's Speech of Acceptance, and Comments Thereon — The Presi- 
dent Endeavors to Defend His Errors, by Defending the Act's of the 
Mexican Banditti — Mexican Revolutionaries Anxious That Wilson 

Remain President 1^ 



SYNOPSIS ix' 



CHAPTER XXI. 

Page 

The Future — Vagaries and Follies of the Monroe Doctrine — The Business 
Men of Mexico Eefined and Honorable — Mr. Wilson Ignores the Fact 
That American Genius and Capital Are Eesponsible for Mexican 
Development 150 



CHAPTER XXII. 

Predictions Made by the Author in 1913-14 Which Have Been Verified by 
Actual Events — Present and Future Conditions — A Clear Exposition of 
Mexican Character and Suggestions as to the Practical Method of Ending 
Revolution in Mexico — Intervention Necessary, Three Humanitarians. . . 155 



I 



INTRODUCTION 

As important as any subject which engages our attention, and 
one which we cannot put aside, is the problem of restoring order 
in Mexico and of ending the reign of terror which has existed there 
for five years. It is absolutely necessary that normal conditions 
be reestablished south of the Rio Grande. 

Not only is it necessary to accomplish this and see to it that 
conditions are as satisfactory as they were when General Diaz 
was in power, but we must also take proper steps to insure that 
never again shall it be possible for dreamers, and impractical '* re- 
formers" like Madero, to renew disorder in the Land of Monte- 
zuma. 

When Mr. Wilson assumed office he had apparently decided on 
a course of procedure, or of attitude, at least as far as Huerta was 
concerned. As subsequent events prove, he was fully resolved and 
determined to carry out a preconceived plan, namely: that under 
no circumstances would he make any move whatsoever for the pur- 
pose of ending debauchery and violence in Mexico, or permit others 
to do so. 

From the moment Mr. Wilson became president he had the 
world understand that he stood for peace. In this he was sus- 
tained by William J. Bryan, who was then Secretary of State. 

To be known as the ** great peace president" appeared to be 
the cue for refusal to accept advice and was the excuse for non- 
action. It was given out that the lives of American soldiers were 
altogether too valuable and too sacred to be endangered by sending 
them into Mexico for the purpose of protecting the lives and prop- 
erty of our Nationals, or for the purpose of compelling the Mexi- 
cans to refrain from slaughtering each other. 

Mr. Wilson did not hesitate to state that intolerable conditions 
existed, and, in the course of time, he made it appear that such 

xi 



xii INTRODUCTION 

conditions could be overcome only through the elimination of 
Huerta, the ** usurper." 

Whereupon Mr. Wilson set himself diligently to the task of 
driving Huerta out of power. The president specifically stated 
that the first requisite necessary in order to reestablish law, order, 
and liberty in Mexico was the elimination of the so-called ' ' usurper. ' ' 

Finally, by waging a personal war against Huerta — and the 
president candidly admitted that the Vera Cruz affair was *'a dif- 
ficulty between this government and a person calling himself the 
provisional president of Mexico" — the ''usurper" was eliminated. 

This, for the time being, was sufficient glory for the chief ex- 
ecutive. But conditions did not improve in Mexico. In fact, they 
went from bad to worse, and Mr. Wilson was not permitted to enjoy 
the fruits (?) of his personally conducted war. Scarcely had 
Huerta disappeared, when Villa and Carranza were at each other's 
throats; for adulation had inspired ambition in the soul of the 
**pet" bandit and he aspired to become supreme in Mexico. 

Now, it so happened that Huerta was eliminated during the 
early summer of 1914, and Villa and Carranza became estranged 
immediately thereafter. At the same time, important elections 
were to be held in the United States during November of the same 
year. We were about to elect Governors, United States Senators 
and Congressmen. Political Washington was apprehensive, even 
alarmed, for it was feared that actual outbreak between Villa and 
Carranza would injure the chances of the Democratic candidates. 
Hence it was very necessary to prevent hostilities between the ' ' first 
chief" and the ''pet" bandit. 

We remember that Mr. Wilson dispatched a personal ambas- 
sador to Mexico, or to the court of Huerta — a Mr. John Lind of 
Minnesota — a man wholly unacquainted with the characteristics of 
Mexican potentialities, or with the peculiar tendencies of the Mex- 
ican people. Mr. Lind failed to accomplish the object of his visit. 
The gentleman from Minnesota was instructed to request Huerta to 
eliminate himself. The so-called "usurper" refused to relinquish 
the office of provisional president, a position or place of authority 
acquired after Madero was removed. 



INTRODUCTION xiii 

Coneerning this matter mention is made elsewhere in this 
volume. 

Mr. Lind failed to attain his object, but his diplomacy (?) 
aided somewhat in making matters worse in Mexico. 

However, in a later instance, better fortune attended, for the 
president succeeded in persuading Villa and Carranza to defer 
impending battle until the elections in question were held. In 
order to accomplish this design, Mr. Wilson dispatched two confi- 
dential agents to Mexico. He assigned a man named Carouthers 
to Villa and one named Silliman to Carranza. By courtesy they 
were referred to as consuls. 

We will assume that Messrs. Carouthers and Silliman could 
a tale unfold were they induced to disclose the exact wording of 
their instructions, and reveal in detail all that transpired between 
the two revolutionary leaders and themselves. 

If the two confidential agents were to take the dear public 
into their confidence, and tell us of the nature of the promises 
which were communicated to both Villa and Carranza, which caused 
them to postpone warfare between their respective commands until 
the result of the elections was announced we may be sure that 
their revelations would be very interesting. 

Messrs. Silliman and Carouthers were successful in preventing 
open hostilities between Villa and Carranza prior to the elections 
referred to. As the two leaders found it difficult to secure arms 
and munitions at that time, and as it is a fact they were permitted 
to obtain such without check after the elections were held, we nat- 
urally infer that they were promised this privilege as a reward for 
remaining dormant prior to the elections. 

At all events, the first battle between the forces of Villa and 
Carranza took place the day after the elections were held. 

Now it is a fact that Mr. Wilson has never shown that he had 
what may be termed "a Mexican policy" of any kind. Lacking 
in decision of the practical sort, he was, nevertheless, decided in 
desire and intent to run Huerta out of Mexico. After eliminating 
Huerta, he lapsed into a state of innocuous desuetude, probably 
lulled by the delusion that, with Huerta out of the way, Mexico 



c 





5 -il «it.' 



i 4., 



CHAPTER I 

WE ARE TO UNDERSTAND WHY MEXICO IS 

REVOLUTIONARY 

THE VIEWS OF ONE WHO KNOWS 

Many years ago I became interested in Mexico by reading Pres- 
cott's and Bancroft's history of the wonderful exploits of Cortez 
and his followers during the conquest of Mexico. 

Commencing in this wise I became more and more intereste(J. 
As a result, I naturally acquired a greater degree of information 
concerning that country than is possessed by the average reader of 
history, or those who have visited Mexico. 

While in search of greater knowledge concerning Mexico, per- 
force needs be that I visit the land of Montezuma. I soon learned 
that one visit, nay many visits, to this Land of Wonder, was not 
sufficient for my purpose. 

Nevertheless I was privileged to journey throughout every 
portion of the country and to study the people and conditions gen- 
erally. I may say, therefore, that I know Mexico far better than 
do those who have never been in the country, and those who have 
never studied the people and every condition there, or its history 
and traditions as I have. 

Besides, it is generally understood that any person who special- 
izes becomes as one who is a master of his subject, and I have 
specialized on the subject of Mexico and its revolutionary history. 
Indeed, with me it is an obsession, and it is easy for me to under- 
stand what is to happen in Mexico, unless divine providence inter- 
venes through the instrumentality of man, and it is conceded, 
according to Holy Writ, that Deity always accomplishes the pur- 
pose of heaven through the agency of mortals. 



2 OVR MEXICAN MUDDLE 

Therefore, if Mexico is ever to emerge from the thraldom of 
violence and blood-lust, or attain the proper degree of ethical prog- 
ress, it is necessary that an agency other than that which may ever 
be directed by a Mexican, or any number of Mexicans, be assigned 
the contract of cleaning this modem Augean Stable; both for 
the sake of the souls of those who wander in darkness, and for 
sanitary reasons; for, while it is a fact that Mexico would be an 
earthly paradise were it inhabited by a civilized people, on the 
other hand it is today a plague spot, a sort of human cesspool, and 
will so remain until it falls completely under the domination of the 
Anglo-Saxon ; for so runs the legend : ' ^ Great shall be the travail 
of Huehuetlappallan, and Anahuac be deluged in blood, for such 
is the decree of the old war-god, the immutable Hurtzilopochtli, and 
so shall it be until the coming of the 'White God' who shall direct 
the gods of War and Peace; then shall happiness fall upon Ana- 
huac.'* 

Who indeed is this ** White God" if not an Anglo-Saxon? for 
certain it is that the Spaniards failed to attain God-like attributes. 



KEVOLUTION EAGED FOR SIXTY YEARS 

While this work may savor of recrimination, and of desire to 
attack political potentialities for political effect, or suggest the 
idea, yet such is not intended. The author merely seeks to enlighten 
all the people upon the subject of Mexico and enable them to un- 
derstand why revolt, murder, violence, and every crime under the 
sun have been permitted and even encouraged, and why such raged 
in Mexico without interruption for sixty years prior to 1883, and 
for nearly six years since 1910, and why it is likely to continue for 
sixty years to come unless this government contrives to intervene 
in a practical and effective manner. 

We can hardly expect this blessing will be realized while Mr. 
Wilson is president, for it seems to be his purpose to let the Mexi- 
cans go on and on, unchecked of blood-lust, as he has indicated that 
he does not propose to intervene, or attempt to restrain the savages 



OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 3 

in any effective manner, whatever be the scope of their depravity 
and barbarity. 

I am merely taking the gentleman at his word. We must re- 
member that the punitive expedition was in no wise intended as 
in the nature of an invasion or intervention. 

DO NOT BE DECEIVED— LEARN THE TRUTH 

In order to write intelligently of or about Mexico, one must 
fully understand the peculiar characteristics of the Mexican people, 
particularly of the class of men who pose as generals and leaders ; 
and the class which ruthlessly ravaged the country from 1823 to 
1883, and again from 1910-1911 until the present moment. 

More important still, we must understand the peculiar rela- 
tionship which existed, and continues to exist, between certain 
Mexican potentialities and certain political potentialities in Wash- 
ington, the which we can better understand by considering the 
convolutions of the present administration — which appear to be 
composed of an admixture of "off and on," as far as regards 
Mexico. When we understand these simple matters we shall be 
able to understand why revolution thrives in Mexico. 

This work does not contemplate presenting a history of Mexico. 
Just at this time no one is deeply interested in Mexico as a purely 
historical subject. We are, however, deeply interested in knowing 
why revolution and deviltry rage unchecked in ''Greaser Land" 
and this shall be made clear; so comprehensive in fact, that all 
question of doubt shall vanish, and all of the erroneous opinions 
hitherto held by the mass of our people relating to Mexico will 
wholly disappear, to give way to and be supplanted by logical 
conviction. Considerable stress is laid upon this fact in order to 
fully impress its importance upon the reader. 

Before delving deep into our subject it will be well to bear the 
following essential well in mind, namely, '*that revolution is utterly 
impossible in Mexico unless such is sanctioned hy this government.'* 

The revolutionary, political, or military history of Mexico 
cannot be written without implicating Americans who were, and 



4 OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 

are, prominent in politics in our own country. It is impossible for 
revolutions to occur — in fact, incubate, in Mexico — without the aid 
and indulgence of American politicians. It lies with us to stamp 
out, to strangle revolution in the bud, or encourage and permit 
such to grow and become a menace, as in the present instance. 

While it is true that Republicans are also reprehensible — that 
Mr. Taft put forth no effort to check the disorder — ^yet on our 
Democratic brethren falls the greater blame. 

For three years and more the problem has been ever present 
and inescapable. For three years political Washington has dis- 
played incapacity, inconsistency, unreliability, and were ignorant 
of the facts and of true conditions in Mexico. They have been 
vacillating, evasive, crafty, subtle, unprepared, unreliable. They 
were anything and everything calculated to make us the laughing 
stock of the world and earn the contempt and the insults of the 
Mexicans. 

Can ''this government" prove that it gained the good-will of 
any Mexican? Can any man show wherein the Mexican people 
were benefited in any way by Mr. Wilson's eloquent assertion that 
he was possessed of a passionate sympathy for the ''under dogs 
of Mexico"? Can any man show that Mr. Wilson gained the 
respect of the Mexicans? On the contrary, is it not possible to 
show that the reverse is true ? 

Surely there should be just one little grain of evidence to 
show that Mr. Wilson's well expressed and kindly disposed inten- 
tions were not wholly nil. However, no man may discover such. 

REMARKS ON HUMANITY— THE TERM DEFINED 

Do you believe that all human beings have the right to live, 
to be of value, to enjoy real liberty, to know joy and happiness, 
to respect others, to be useful and law-abiding? Do you believe 
that a small body of armed reprobates, a type of destroying angel, 
shaU be permitted to go on forever, unmolested, and possess the 
privilege of murdering, robbing and terrorizing those who desire 
to live in peace? Do you believe in the humanitarian principle? 
Are you at all interested in humanity? Do you believe that sav- 



OVR MEXICAN MUDDLE 5 

agery, rapine, murder, bloodlust, brutality, immorality, vice and 
crime, and every known and unknown, disease — infectious and con- 
taminating — ^should be permitted to exist at the very threshold of 
your home? 

BAEBARITY SANCTIONED 

If you were conscious of the fact that a band of raging man- 
killers ravished a fair and smiling land, that the crimes of which 
they were guilty surpassed the acts of savages in ferocity, would 
you stand in the presence of your countrymen and proclaim that 
you espoused the ''cause" of such reprobates and that you in- 
dorsed every act of theirs — ^would you do this ? 

Would you state that your interest in such demons was so 
intense that you passionately indorsed them, and that you consid- 
ered them to be unfortunate ''under dogs'' struggling to attain 
liberty? Do you believe that all Mexican "under dogs," such as 
Villa and Zapata, are inspired by high and noble impulses when 
they go forth and slay? 

Are you aware of the fact that a President of these United 
States publicly proclaimed that he was enthusiastically in favor of 
the "under dogs" of Mexico — that he had a great sympathy and 
a "passion" for them? Do you recall the occasion when he made 
this statement? 

Do you take the same passionate interest in the cut-throats of 
Mexico? Are you passionately fond of Villa and his band? Are 
you in full sympathy with Zapata? Is your heart overflowing 
with enthusiasm for Carranza ? Do you believe that the rabble and 
the bandits of Mexico have the right to slay your parents, your 
wife, your children, your relatives, your friends, your countrymen 
and yourself? 

BARBAROUS FEACTICES 

The early Spanish conquerors were cruel and blood-thirsty. 
It is generally believed that they slaughtered defenseless Mexicans 
in the most inhuman and ruthless manner, and with a zest that 
indicated that they were wholly deficient in every humane emotion. 



8 OVB MEXICAN MUDDLE 

the chest, which was followed by tne process of tearing out the heart 
still throbbing and warm, and, while life and consciousness re- 
mained, the victim was compelled to gaze upon his own demise— 
which, if he were stoical, brave and unflinching, he was able to do 
— then, ere the last spark of life had fled, the executioner would 
sink his fangs into the heart, which he devoured with zest, for, ac- 
cording to his belief, to eat the heart of a brave man made him 
immune to the attacks of any foe and the possessor of great courage, 
strength and endurance. 

SPANISH TORTURES 

According to the foregoing, it is evident that back of the 
veneer of civilization among the Mexicans, barbarism and savagery 
still lurk, but we must remember that the Spaniard never attempted 
to transfer to an alien race, especially a subject people, any part 
of the higher refinements which he applied to himself. Indeed, as 
is well proven, they implanted a curse upon all of those who felt 
the crush of the conqueror's brutal touch. 

In fact, the Dons introduced new tortures, and such in turn 
were imitated by the Mexicans, but with added force; though, to 
the credit of the latter -be it said, they eliminated the auto da fe, or 
the human torch, a species of savagery which still survives in our 
own very Christian and humane country — to our everlasting shame. 
We decry the Inquisition and the fact that men were burnt alive 
in Latin-America, but one hundred years have passed since such 
acts of savagery took place in Mexico, or in any portion of all North 
America, save in these United States. 




,^t*ii»^«<^'* 



^^j*(»«l*^;>»'.«-'^.%<S- « 





^^^^ 



GENERAL GENORERO DE LA O, A ZAPATISTA 
Note the Mongolian Features — the Mixture of Malay, Hindoo and Mongolian 



CHAPTER II 

BRIEF ETHNOLOGIC SKETCH— SIMILARITY BETWEEN 

MEXICANS AND ASIATIC ORIENTALS— RACIAL 

CHARACTERISTICS— CITIES, RUINS, ETC. 

Late research shows that the so-called civilized races, or inhab- 
itants, of Mexico were known as the Toltecs, and that they appeared 
in Anahuac about the year 650 A. D. Evidently the Toltecs aban- 
doned Mexico about the tenth century, the Exodus being general. 
Whether they went to South America or to Asia, or were prac- 
tically destroyed, is still a subject for conjecture or speculation. 
That they were a race as far advanced in science and civilization 
as the Orientals is proved by the fact that ruins of splendid cities 
founded by them survive to this day, and there is a striking simi- 
larity in the appearance of the ruins of the ancient cities of 
^ Mexico and of Central America, as compared with the ruins of 
certain places in Asia which were deserted ages ago. 

The construction of the temples and palaces, of the mounts, 
or mounds, the arrangement of streets, squares, roadways, aque- 
ducts, carvings, hieroglyphics, statuary, sarcophagi, mausoleums, 
mummies, and the remains of utensils, of metal work, art, jewelry 
and the like, all tend to indicate that the Toltecs were semi-bar- 
barians, or a semi-civilized people like the Hindu, the Mongolian 
or the Thibetian. The Ajrtec of the time of the conquest perpetu- 
ated the habits and customs of the Toltecs. High-peaked hats, 
such as worn by certain Mongols, were in evidence, from which 
the more picturesque and attractive sombrero was evolved. 

Beyond all doubt the original Mexican — that is, the Mexican 
of the days of Cortez — was of Asiatic origin with predominating 
Indo-Mongolian characteristics. 





10 OVB MEXICAN MUDDLE 

VARIOUS INDIAN TRIBES 

When Cortez invaded Mexico, he learned that while the in- 
habitants were much alike in feature and mode of life, and much 
alike in thought and action, on the other hand they were divided 
politically and waged relentless warfare upon each other. The 
predominant race was the Aztec and they were chiefly opposed by 
a powerful race known as the Tlaxcalans. This tribe occupied the 
territory to the east of the great plateau of Mexico and the plains 
of Pueblo. 

Cortez had little trouble in enlisting the aid of the Tlaxcalans 
for the purpose of carrying out his plans. In fact, from the ear- 
liest days of the conquest until all Mexico was subjugated, the 
Spaniards experienced no trouble in persuading one tribe to war 
against another. This is characteristic of your true Mexican. He 
would destroy all nationalistic homogeneity in order to injure his 
personal rival. Santa Ana sacrificed his country in 1847 in order 
to bring about the defeat of a rival for fame and the presidency. 

THE MEXICAN A POOR FOE— BRAVE BUT INCAPABLE 

The Spaniards conceived the idea that the natives of Mexico 
were Hindus or Indos, or as the Indians of East India, hence called 
them Indians. At the same time they discovered that the Mexicans 
had no knowledge of explosives of gun-powder or fire-arms, nor of 
horses or our larger domestic animals, all of which was known to 
the Orientals. Iron did not abound in Mexico, but copper was 
easy to obtain, hence the fact that all metal weapons were of copper 
or bronze of great hardness. The natives could not offer effective 
resistance to the arms or valor of the Spaniards, despite the fact 
that the Aztec of the time of Cortez was a physical marvel, both 
in the matter of strength and endurance. 

It is estimated that no less than three hundred thousand na- 
tives were put to the sword — butchered in cold blood — ^by the 
Spaniards during the period of conquest. Blood-letting in those 
days was an art of itself and the Dons were early imbued with the 



OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 11 

idea that high heaven applauded their efforts to decimate the un- 
godly barbarians. Nor were they in error at the time, for the 
Aztecs were idolatrous and offered up human sacrifices and ate 
the hearts of their victims. 

However much we condemn the Spaniard for his cruelties and 
deceits, as practiced on the Mexican and other subject races, we 
must not forget this potent fact ; that had the Indians attained the 
upper hand not one Spaniard would have lived to tell the fate of 
his companions. As it was, the Mexicans came very nearly exter- 
minating the Dons during the famous battle and subsequent retreat 
known as the ''Noche Triste. " Cortez and his followers were all 
but annihilated. Spain and aid were far distant. Civilization, 
the introduction of Christianity, conquest, all three were necessary. 
To slay the infidel and the savage idolator was a heaven given com- 
mand — and slaughter was the order of the day. 

MEXICAN INDIANS NO MATCH IN BATTLES AGAINST 

AMERICANS OR EUROPEANS 

The Spanish conquerors proved conclusively that the Indians 
of America were weak antagonists in battle or war-like contests. 
At the same time it was demonstrated that the Mexican was won- 
derfully strong and enduring. In the physical relation they are 
wonderful, and as crude workers they are marvels, comparing far 
vorably with the Chinese, whom they imitate. But mental essen- 
tials are lacking, and when such do not exist mere physical per- 
formance is defective. Thus, as soldiers — and as soldiers in battle 
— the Mexicans cannot compare with the white races. 

A striking illustration of the superiority of the Anglo-Saxon 
as a human fighting machine, when compared with the Mexicans, 
was demonstrated during the brief period when a handful of 
Americans defied and defeated all Mexico and deprived her of 
Texas. In 1835 there were, probably, 30,000 American settlers 
in Texas. The population of Mexico was six million, of which no 
less than 50,000 were located in Texas. Nevertheless some three 
thousand armed Americans overcame all of the troops which Mexico 



12 OVR MEXICAN MUDDLE 

was able to send into Texas for the purpose of driving the Ameri- 
cans out of the country. Our early frontiersmen seemed to be able 
to easily defeat the Mexicans, although outnumbered, as was some- 
times the case, three or four to one. Independence was secured 
when General Sam Houston with 1,700 Americans defeated Santa 
Ana, who commanded no less than 3,500 well-armed Mexicans. 

In 1846-1847, the United States invaded Mexico, defeated 
overwhelming numbers, and with less than 15,000 soldiers we 
crushed armed resistance. That is, we did not have a larger force 
in Mexico at any time. At no time did General Taylor have more 
than six thousand men concentrated at one point. He won the bat- 
tle of Buena Vista with less than five thousand men, opposed to 
twenty-two thousand Mexicans under Santa Ana. 

General Scott won all of his battles with less than eight thou- 
sand troops assembled at one place. He entered the City of Mexico 
with six thousand two hundred men, although opposed by no less 
than thirty thousand armed Mexicans and the hostility of 300,000 
inhabitants. That is, the supposed hostility, for, as a matter of 
fact, the majority of the people welcomed the Americans as true 
deliverers. 



CHAPTER in 

OF THE MILITARY LEADERS AND THE HOAX 

ABOUT WAR 

In considering the fighting capabilities of the Mexicans of the 
present time we may also discover what manner of men were those 
who directed the destinies of the ill-fated country from 1823 until 
1884, and we also can learn much concerning the character of the 
''disturbers" who launched the revolt of 1910, with analogous com- 
parison, showing that the patriots of the period 1823-1884 were 
of the same type as the bandit patriots of the present time, and 
learn also that the historical or political records of Mexico do not 
show a single instance wherein one or all of them, with the possible 
exception of Porfirio Diaz, benefited the people of Mexico in any 
manner. Diaz should be named : ''The Beneficent." 

A brief recital of the performances of the so-called liberators, 
commencing with Hidalgo and ending with Madero, will show that 
the endless procession of patriots, liberators, martyrs, emperors, 
dictators, presidents, and the unsuccessful aspirants for such honors, 
were, one and all, vain-glorious, bombastical, selfish, deceitful, 
cruel, unreliable, impractical, inexperienced, ignorant, intolerant, 
cowardly, and, of all creatures, were the last persons on earth 
qualified to govern the changeable and heterogeneous hybrids of 

Mexico. 

But the United States contains many arbitrary persons of 
considerable political prominence— hence impractical, mistaken, 
hurtful, or designedly pernicious, who believe, or pretend to believe, 
that men of the type referred to should be permitted to perpetuate 
the horrors with which they ravished and convulsed Mexico for 
no less than seventy years. 

We must not interfere ; oh no, nor intervene, however great the 

13 



14 OVB MEXICAN MUDDLE 

provocation. We must let the Mexican people work out their own 
salvation — as though such were possible. 

This is the attitude of potentials in Washington, and of news- 
papers favorable to every act of the administration, and is in line 
with any and every statement made by one or the other relating 
to Mexico. 

The administration, and sustaining newspapers, have not hesi- 
tated to take advantage of the ignorance of the American public 
on all matters concerning Mexico, particularly in regard to alleged 
military difficulties. A never-ending problem, and never ending 
as a subject of discussion on the part of our misinformed and 
deluded countrymen. 

The administration and a complaisant press liberally volun- 
teered the statement that almost insuperable military difficulties 
confronted us and must be overcome should the United States in- 
tervene, or war be declared. As already stated, it was alleged that 
500,000 troops would be necessary for this purpose and that the 
loss of life of our soldiers would be appalling. Every lurid fear 
and consequence that designing minds could conjure up was em- 
ployed for the purpose of confusing the people, and keeping them 
in ignorance of the real facts. Many persons contended that the 
president was the marvel of the age, a sort of demi-god, since 
he refused to sanction any act suggestive of war. In this way it 
came to pass that he was regarded as the great ''peace president." 

Political Washington made it appear that the Mexicans were 
well organized, that they possessed immense stores of ammunitions, 
that they were seasoned veterans, that whatever the nature of the 
differences between those seeking supreme power, all such would be 
put aside and all parties would unite to do battle with the hated 
* ' gringo. ' ' It was represented that it would require years of ardu- 
ous campaigning to put down guerrilla warfare, all of which were 
designed misstatements — and wholly intended for political effect 
and to mislead the people. 

That not one word of truth is involved was proved, and proved 
by those who ordered General Pershing to pursue Villa and by the 
easy elimination of Huerta. 



OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 15 

WHY NON-COMBATANT AND PASSIVE MEXICANS FEAR 

TO SHOW PREFERENCE FOR THE FOREIGNERS, OR 

FOR ANY OF THE ARMED FACTIONS WHICH 

TERRORIZE THE COUNTRY 

While discussing the subject of invasion by the United States 
and the anticipated attitude of the people toward our troops, there 
are several important details which we must bear in mind; viz., 
that Mexico never possessed a real army, that the time never was, 
nor ever will be, when the military, or bandit leaders, can assemble 
an armed force in excess of 50,000, unless they use conscriptive 
measures ; that in such case the so-called soldiers will be none other 
than a mob of undrilled, inexperienced, dunder-headed peons. Ten 
thousand seasoned veterans of the United States can defeat any 
''army'' that Mexico can assemble. Further, and this is the most 
important point of all, while Mexican peons and bandits are of little 
consequence in battle compared with well-armed and experienced 
United States regulars, they are, on the other hand, irresistible and 
terrible when opposed only by unarmed and defenseless Mexicans ; 
opposed only by their submissive, sheeplike countrymen, the work- 
ing class, who are naturally opposed to all strife and violence ; who 
love life ; who desire to live, to work, to make of the smiling land in 
which they live the delightful paradise designed by the gods of 
Liberty and Happiness. 

Why is it that the unnumbered millions of Mexico have had 
no voice in the affairs of their country? Why is it that the un- 
numbered masses are robbed, beaten, murdered, and treated like 
dogs by the alleged liberators? Why is it that they do not arise 
as one man and possess the liberty and peace their hearts desire? 
Why do the millions suffer and starve while an American educator 
prates of passion and the humane attributes? Why — yes, why? 
It is because nature designed that they be as incapable as a lamb 
or a rabbit to offer resistance to any armed force or seek the means 
to do so. They are what they are, and not all the lurid invectives 
invented since the birth of Adam, nor the eloquence of ten thousand 
presidents with a ''passion," can arouse them; nor can the thunder 



16 OVB MEXICAN MUDDLE 

of the foot of the invader, nor the wild cries of the remnant of the 
primitive Aztecs, nor the pleading of slaughtered children; nor 
force; nothing under high heaven seems to awaken the hordes of 
Mexico. 

So the butchers terrorize the masses. Their hearts may long 
for the invader, or for the invention of anything that shall save 
them from the wolves that rend and devour them, but they dare 
not whisper this desire aloud. They dare not do so even when 
the rifles of freemen bid them awake. With dull and uncompre- 
hending stare they gaze on those who represent a free and happy 
people. In their hearts they desire to shout words of welcome, 
but they know that when the invader has gone that the imp-like 
reprobates who lurk in hiding will come forth and slay them. It 
has ever been so, and because of this fear the people refused to sell 
food or forage to our troops in search of Villa, and it is a fact that 
so-called Carranzistas killed those who showed any degree of 
friendliness for the Americans, or sold articles of any kind to 
them. They killed a number of Chinamen also for the same offense 
— that is, they visited such punishment on their victims as soon 
as they were sure the Americans were far away and could not 
render assistance. 

Is it difficult to understand why the peace-loving people of 
Mexico, those who desire to work and to live, dare not welcome 
any power that might give them these blessings? Is it possible 
that any one believes — even a president of the United States — that 
the time will come when any Mexican, or any number of Mexicans, 
shall bring relief to the masses, to the servile peon, and put an end 
to the vagaries and brutalities of the bandit class. 

Why not be convinced that it has never been the purpose of 
any Mexican to emancipate the people? 

Reverting again to the subject of the prowess of the Mexicans: 
In 1863-1865, twelve thousand French soldiers over-ran all Mexico 
and became complete masters thereof. The only victories of which 
we have record wherein Mexicans defeated Anglo-Saxons, are those 
of the Alamo, and also the occasion when Colonel Fanning, a 
Texan, surrendered with 425 men to an overwhelming force of 



OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 17 

Mexicans, after all ammunition was gone and resistance seemed 
useless. But of this event more anon. 

From the foregoing it is apparent that any intelligent and 
reasoning person can, by reverting to past events, decide to what 
extent any modern, so-called Mexican army is capable of inflicting 
damage when opposed to American troops. Of this we have had 
numerous examples, or ample proof, as demonstrated during cer- 
tain unimportant affairs which took place between our troops and 
the ** greasers" while the chase for Villa was on. 



THE AUTHOR A MUNITION EXPERT. IMPORTANT 

FACTS REVEALED 

The writer has always taken a deep interest in firearms. He 
claims the distinction that belongs to an expert. He was recognized 
in this capacity by certain officers associated with the Mexican 
government. As such his advice was desired. Thus it came to 
pass that the author was admitted as one privy to the inner secrets. 
He visited the arsenals and military depots. 

Now it is not generally known that the military attaches 
assigned to the American Embassy in Mexico scarcely ever indi- 
cated an interest in the Mexican army or its military equipment. 
As a result this government possessed little information of value 
relating thereto. Our military attaches wasted golden hours, for 
each was a human butterfly-^idle — a seeker of pleasure. 

The European was more inquisitive. At least he knew that 
Mexico was ill prepared to carry on war or resist a foreign foe. 
But both American and European military gentlemen were indif- 
ferent. They held the officers and half -clad soldiers of Mexico, and 
Mexican military equipment, in supreme contempt. They thought 
that the day would never come when Mexico would become a 
serious menace. To the contrary, the author has always held to the 
prophetic view that the time would come when the United States 
will be COMPELLED to intervene in Mexico and probably find 
it NECESSARY to absorb the country. 



18 OVR MEXICAN MUDDLE 

As an act of justice, both to ourselves and to the "submerged 
eighty-five percent of the population of Mexico," we should do so. 
Only by so doing can real liberty and progress ever reach the 
masses of that unhappy land. 

Possessed with the conviction that the invasion of Mexico was 
inevitable, I lost no opportunity to study every phase relating to 
military conditions. I learned that Mexico was not armed for the 
purpose of resisting a foreign foe, for the military authorites of 
Mexico were well aware of the fact that Mexico never could offer 
real resistance to invasion by any power other than expressed by 
reference to Central and South American states. 

Then, too. General Diaz had established cordial relations with 
the world, and such relations had long endured ; hence, all Mexico 
began to believe that war could never come again ; that strife could 
only happen within the fatherland, if at all. Therefore, the army 
was maintained for the express purpose of preventing the recur- 
rence of revolt in Mexico. Until the year 1900 the soldiers carried 
obsolete muskets. The Rurales were also ill-armed, though in per- 
sonal equipment they shone resplendent. They made a brave show- 
ing in the old days — a glory soon departed. 



FIREARMS NOT MANUFACTURED IN MEXICO 

Realizing that the army was maintained for the purpose of 
preserving peace within the realm, I naturally desired to learn 
whether Mexico was prepared in any way to carry on warfare 
with any exterior foe, should such contingency arise. I soon dis- 
covered that firearms had never been made in Mexico. The Mexi- 
can government depended altogether upon the outside world for 
its supply of arms and munitions. By the same token is it a fact 
that every firearm possessed by the first revolters was purchased 
outside of Mexico. Also is it a fact that every firearm, every heavy 
piece of ordinance, and all rapid firers, were bought abroad. Even 
now Carranza, despite the fact he is in possession of all of the gov- 
ern military depots, must of necessity purchase all military sup- 



OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 19 

plies outside of Mexico. Hence Mexico is still unprepared and 
unable to make her own firearms and ammunition. How, then, 
can Mexico carry on real warfare with any country? 

EARLY HISTORY— EVIDENCE OF PECULIAR CHARAC- 
TERISTICS— EXAMPLES PAST AND PRESENT- 
KEY TO PECULIARITIES OF THE MEXICAN 
PEOPLE— CORTEZ WARNED TO DEPART 

It is not essential to relate in detail the story of the conquest 
of Mexico by the Spaniards under Hernando Cortez, other than 
to state that the great conquistador landed at Vera Cruz in the 
summer of 1519 and on August of the same year began his famous 
march for the stronghold of Montezuma, the supreme chief of the 
Aztecs. The Aztecs named this place Tenochtitlan. It afterward 
became the seat of the viceroys and later the capital of the so-called 
republic of Mexico, and is known as the City of Mexico. 

While an account of the wonderful adventures of the Span- 
iards would be intensely interesting, such is not needful at this 
time, but it is well to bear one significant fact in mind ; namely, that 
Montezuma, the king, sent couriers to Cortez and besought him to 
withdraw and leave the country. Accompanying the request subtle 
suggestion was made to the effect that, in event the strangers con- 
tinued to advance, it would be impossible to restrain the Aztec 
warriors who were disposed to attack the Spaniards before they 
could reach the plains of Anahuac facing the walls of Tenochtitlan. 

This incident is referred to as being significant, and is based 
on the fact that in after time the chieftains of Mexico employed 
the same argument or artifice for the purpose of halting the in- 
vader^ The Mexicans have always laid particular emphasis on 
the assumption, or claim, that it would be impossible to restrain 
the common soldiers, as they bitterly resented the presence of 
strangers. 

They attempted to intimidate Funston when he was in posses- 
sion of Vera Cruz, and more recently employed the same plan to 
expedite the withdrawal of Pershing's army. 



20 OVB MEXICAN MUDDLE 

It is also well to note in this connection that this method of 
inspiring fear in the heart of the enemy, or of a foe of unknown 
power, is characteristic of certain Asiatic tribes, particularly those 
of Mongolian origin. In the absence of conviction that they can 
easily defeat and dispose of the strangers they resort to subterfuge 
and by-play calculated to frighten the invader, the potent argu- 
ment being, *4f you do not go away the people will arise and slay 
you. ' ' 

Always the same deceit, **Go away, your army causes unrest; 
our soldiers resent your presence here. Unless you depart we can- 
not restrain them." 

THE GREAT NAPOLEON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE 
INDEPENDENCE OF MEXICO 

Great was Spain. ''Viva Hispania Siempre," "Spain shall 
live forever." So it seemed, and had it been so, darker even than 
now would be the lives and the mentality of the people of those 
countries which finally attained a species of freedom, but which 
were formerly Spanish dependencies. Mexico led the way. 

In 1535, the Marquis, Don Antonio de Mendoza, the first vice- 
roy, assumed the powers of his office and was established in the 
palace in the City of Mexico. For nearly three hundred years the 
viceroys reigned supreme. From 1535 until 1821 sixty-four gentle- 
men bearing such title ruled Mexico. In 1821, Don Juan O'Dono- 
jon, the last viceroy, departed for Spain. 

Like the name, *'Obregon," which means O'Brien, Juan 
O'Donojon properly should have been John 'Donovan. The pro- 
nunciation of the Irish names in English is quite the same in 
Spanish. It is the destiny of adventurous Irishmen to attain emi- 
nence in every land. 

In almost placid contentment the viceroys governed, or mis- 
managed Mexico. Even to this day the splendor of their courts 
might be with us. But the gods of national destiny willed that a 
marvelous person should issue from obscurity and shake the earth 
to its very foundations. Nor was Spain, both impious and sati- 



OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 21 

ated with imperialism, to escape the attention of the new conqueror. 
Thus it came to pass in due course that the great Napoleon decided 
that it was necessary to add Spain to the list of his militaristic 
victims. This fate the Dons brought upon themselves, for Spain 
had entered into treaty with England shortly after the stunning 
defeat administered by Nelson at Trafalgar, thereby gaining the 
suspicion and enmity of the Emperor of the French, who, ever 
alert and unhesitating, perceived the necessity of acting promptly. 
Napoleon made his brother Joseph King of Spain. This event 
was celebrated in 1808. The ascension of Joseph Bonaparte was 
of sinister import to Spain and attended by serious and irreparable 
consequences. 

The meteoric progress of Napoleon, his limitless ambition, 
the ruthless annihilation of those who opposed him, the fact that 
no nation might escape his designs, unless allied with England, 
decided the Dons, and they entered into an alliance with England, 
thereby safeguarding the Fatherland. Had such treaty been im- 
possible of arrangement, it is highly probable that Spain would 
have lost its national existence. 

England does not possess a ** doctrine^* of any kind. But as 
the conserver and preserver of nations, she stands supreme. But 
for England, the German Empire would have been a dream, for 
had England permitted Napoleon to attain his ends after the return 
from Elba, the Germanic armies would have been crushed. 

Realizing the necessity of self-preservation in preference to 
all else, the Grandees of Seville, Madrid, and Aragon decided to 
withdraw from the western dependencies as many of the royal 
troops as was compatible with safety. Thus, from time to time, 
nearly all of the royal soldiery was ordered home from Mexico. 

As the power of Napoleon grew, it became necessary to oppose 
him with fresh armies, which taxed Spain to the limit. By the 
time Joseph Napoleon was proclaimed King (1808) the Spanish 
Cortes found that it was necessary to sacrifice every dependency 
if the Fatherland was to be preserved. The fate of Spain hung 
upon a thread from 1808 until 1814, or until Napoleon was ban- 
ished to Elba. 



22 OVR MEXICAN MUDDLE 

MEXICO'S OPPORTUNITY 

Regiment by regiment the Spanish forces, which were distrib- 
uted among the various dependencies, were withdrawn and re- 
turned to Spain. Naturally the power and authority of the vice- 
roys throughout the western hemisphere were seriously crippled. 

As is customary in such cases, the Indians were encouraged to 
revolt. This was the practice of the French in certain portions of 
the United States and Canada, when France and England were at 
war, and vice versa, for the English were not above doing the 
same thing. 

So it is likely that the agents of Napoleon encouraged the 
Mexicans of New Spain, as Mexico was known to the Spanish, to 
revolt. The activity of French agents spread to other depend- 
encies. 

At all events the patron saint of Mexico, an Indian priest 
named Miguel Hidalgo Y Costilla, was inspired to declare for 
liberty and independence — two pretty sounding words — words 
which mean something to Americans, but are mere words and 
meaningless to Mexicans — whereupon, during the year 1808, revo- 
lution was declared and for a period of fifteen years, or until 1823, 
incredible savagery characterized the mode of warfare carried on 
between the revolters and the Spaniards. 

Don Jose Iturigary was viceroy when Hidalgo proclaimed 
revolt for independence. The viceroy was deposed and sent to 
Spain. Just how the revolters obtained arms is not known. The 
Indians were never permitted to possess firearms, nor were they 
accepted as soldiers. Arms have never been manufactured in Mex- 
ico. It is possible that French agents supplied them. 

The Mexicans had ample and excellent opportunity to carry 
out their plans as Napoleon engaged the attention of both England 
and Spain until 1814. After the partial abdication and banish- 
ment of Napoleon to Elba, Spain was able to defend her interests 
with a greater degree of vigor. 

However, the bolt of revolt had been too deeply driven into 
the hearts of the people and the revolution had made such progress 



OUR MEXICAN MUDDLE 23 

that Spain was unable to regain lost prestige. But relentless sav- 
agery raged for eight years before Spain would confess defeat. 

Hidalgo, so state Mexican historians, was every bit as savage 
as the most ferocious of his forebears. No Spaniard could outdo 
him in acts of barbarity. In 1811 he was taken prisoner, and with 
his confederates, Allende, Jimenez and Aldama, was beheaded. 

With the extinction of the priest of Dolores, came another in 
his place, Jose Maria Y Morelos, and an associate named Ignacio 
Rayon. These two patriots, like Hidalgo and his associates, were 
cruel and blood-thirsty. After combating the Spanish for four 
years, they were taken prisoner and executed. 

Morelos and Rayon were victims of the ruthless activity of 
General Felix Maria Y Calleja del Rey, a relentless and ever-active 
Spaniard. Calleja was nicknamed the "Cruel" and was regarded 
in the same light as was his prototype, General Weyler, the 
''butcher" of Cuba. He was finally ensnared in a plot by a patriot 
named Jose de la Choncha, was taken prisoner and promptly placed 
against a wall and shot. 

By degrees the revolutionists gained ground and by 1821 were 
masters of the situation. The last viceroy withdrew. In 1823 
Spain virtually recognized the independence of Mexico. 

However, the Mexicans did not inaugurate an era of liberty, 
for their first form of government was that of an empire. A pa- 
triot named Augustin Iturbide became the first executive or ruler 
of Mexico. He was either appointed or made himself emperor. 
The empire was established in 1822, but survived scarcely one year. 

Thus from the very first the Mexicans were uncertain, un- 
trained, unprepared, and are still unprepared for liberty and for 
self-government, as known and practiced by Anglo-Saxons. 

Nor were the political elements of the United States well in- 
formed concerning Mexico in 1822-1823, as witness the attitude of 
President Monroe. The so-called Monroe Doctrine was largely in- 
tended to protect a Mexican Empire, and a ly far-seeing Ameri- 
can with any knowledge whatever of Mexican character would 
have realized that the existence of a government so founded would 
be a menace to our peace and security. 



24 OVB MEXICAN MUDDLE 

EAELY EXAMPLE OF MEXICAN TEMPERAMENT AND 

UNRELIABILITY 

While the people of Mexico had been involved in ferocious 
warfare with Spain for jQfteen years in order to gain liberty and 
independence, they gleefully and enthusiastically subscribed to the 
idea of an empire. When Iturbide was proclaimed emperor the 
people appeared to be wildly pleased. Vivas rent the air and 
* ' Viva el Emperador Augustin ! ' ' was the cry. 

Possibly it was true that the passive and the unemotional citi- 
zen was pleased. Possibly he changed in a short time. At all 
events there were other patriots besides Don Augustin — patriots 
who had fought side by side with him. The infamous Santa Ana 
was one of these. 

So it came to pass that Santa Ana and his followers decided 
that the empire was not a good thing for Mexico, and that of two 
evils Emperor Augustin was the worst. 

At the same time they decided that Santa Ana would make a 
better emperor, or president, or the Jefe Suprema. Therefore, six 
months after Iturbide became emperor a revolution was launched 
against him. In a short time most of Iturbide 's erstwhile enthu- 
siastic followers deserted him. He abdicated and set sail for Cuba. 

Thus within the year the empire collapsed and Mexico started 
on a career of bloodshed, savagery, and damnable deviltry that has 
survived until this day. 

Even.Woodrow Wilson ^s specious appeals in the name of hu- 
manity and his declarations that he had a passionate sympathy for 
unfortunate Mexico has not had the least effect in lessening these 
evils. Indeed, his benign observations and varied intellectual as- 
severations seemed to spur the revolutionists on to increased effort 
and to encourage a greater degree of savagery. 

At all events no one can point out wherein the copper-hued 
devils refrained from butchering each other, or that they realized 
that the president of the United States was moved by a high and 
holy purpose when he spoke so feelingly of our disturbing neigh- 
bors. 



OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 25 

As soon as Iturbide had departed, Santa Ana proclaimed that 
the empire was dead and that henceforth Mexico would be a re- 
public. Pretense of effecting constitutional government was shown. 
A constitution copied from that evolved in the hearts of high- 
minded and honorable Americans was adopted. In written form 
it compared favorably with our own, but never from the day of its 
inception until the present has it been effective. In October, 1823, 
the first Mexican congress convened, but its powers were on a par 
with all of the so-called Mexican congresses with which we are 
familiar. It was composed of a body of unimportant Mexicans 
who were wholly dominated by Santa Ana. 

Realizing that it were better to be the power behind the throne, 
rather than mere president, Santa Ana made Guadaloupe Victoria 
chief executive. These benevolent military banditto-patriots mis- 
ruled Mexico for a number of years. 

ITURBIDE RETURNS— IS SHOT 

Like all Mexican politicians who have been removed from high 
estate, the deposed emperor was possessed with the idea that he 
could come back. Naturally there were those who encouraged the 
idea. Hence it came to pass that Iturbide arranged to reenter 
Mexico and launch a revolution against Santa Ana, which was but 
fair, as Santa Ana had deposed the emperor by the same process. 
But Iturbide failed and as a result he was shot. 

When a Mexican of prominence is executed he becomes a 
martyr — a patriot of high degree. Thus the name of Emperor 
Augustin survives in Mexico. The name of Iturbide will not die 
out. A large hotel located in the City of Mexico perpetuates the 
memory of the first ruler of the alleged republic. In a room set 
aside for such purpose is preserved the vestigos and insignia of 
rank of him whom we know as Augustin I. 

Alive, Iturbide was a traitor, a conspirator, a rebel, a menace, 
just as are others who have followed in his footsteps. It was neces- 
sary that such men should perish from the face of the earth, and 
certain it is that many perished, unless they escaped in good season 



26 OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 

and remained away. But once dead, then peace to his ashes. A 
monument arises. He was a patriot of Mexico, and all patriots 
must be honored. 

The great Diaz was driven away, or so it appeared. His body 
reposes in a foreign land. Yet, as it was with Napoleon, so too will 
the remains of Porfirio Diaz be brought back to the land he loved 
so well, and a magnificent monument will go up in honor of the 
greatest of all Mexicans. 

This will come to pass even though Mexico becomes a portion 
of the United States, or we establish a protectorate over the land. 

Iturbide was only an example, a sort of human index of what 
was to be the experience of nearly every Mexican who aspired to 
the presidency. Reference to his experience and fate is both in- 
teresting and important, as such enables us to realize that the lead- 
ing lights of Mexico, and the people generally, are wholly incapable 
of self-government, or to be more exact, the so-called leaders or 
rulers are incapable of controlling the people or conducting the 
affairs of state. 

Thus in, and from the very first year of the independence of 
Mexico, when, theoretically at least, it was a free and independent 
state, and as such was recognized by the United States through 
President Monroe, now stands revealed those peculiarities of Mex- 
ican mental vagaries, which we begin to understand — ^peculiarities 
inherited from hybrid Asiatic ancestors, Mongol, Hindu, Malay, 
half savage and half civilized, far more so than the Orientals who 
inhabit India or China. 



CHAPTER IV 

CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS BRIEFLY RELATED COVER- 
ING THE PERIOD FROM 1823 UNTIL THE 
MADERO REVOLT 

In recording the revolutionary history of Mexico it is neces- 
sary to refer to events as they transpired from the establishment 
of the Empire of Inturbide until Francisco Madero launched his 
personal rebellion. We will then learn that the records reveal this 
notable fact, viz. : that as it has been since the Madero outbreak, 
so too were the conditions from 1823 until 1884. Also the condi- 
tions were practically the same from 1808 until 1823. Bloodshed, 
always bloodshed, with revolution following revolution. 

By 1886 Diaz had succeeded in exterminating the banditti and 
establishing what we may commonly call comparative law and order 
throughout the land. 

From 1886 dates the first period of peace and prosperity — 
the first release from a condition of constant revolution or war- 
fare between rivals for the presidency or between bandit chiefs 
under revolutionary disguise. By 1911 all that Diaz had built 
up was practically destroyed. 

As we are now to learn why Mexico is revolutionary and why 
Mexico will always so remain, under Mexican officials, it is well 
to bear in mind the significant fact that all of the liberators, pa- 
triots, generals, heroes, presidents, emperors, bandits, dictators, 
usurpers, were, one and all, decidedly alike and were animated by 
a common impulse — namely, of self and for self only. They dif- 
fered only as individuals differ as in feature, stature, weight, color, 
etc. Otherwise their aspirations, intentions, and modus operandi 
remained the same. 

27 



28 OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 

So follow the names of the principal actors connected with the 
continuous performance called revolution in Mexico, or Hell's 
Delight, to be more exact. 

With scarcely definable exception, as will presently appear, 
every potential Mexican cut-throat was, as he is today, nothing less 
than a selfish, bloodthirsty semi-savage. If exception exists, such 
applies to the late General Diaz and those who did not indulge in 
wholesale murder, but were, on the other hand, tacitly guilty of 
savagery, for they saw to it that murderous underlings carried out 
their ghastly designs. 

A partial list of the supreme butchers of Mexico follows: 

Hildago, Morlos, Jimenez, Allende, Andama, Rayon, Iturbide, 
Santa Ana, Victoria, Choncha, Pardes, Pedraga, Guerrero, Bravo, 
Guzman, Gallado, Herrero, Zuloaga, Colima, Mejie, Miramon, Co- 
monfort, Lerdo, Osorno, Torres, Armigo, Tejada, Canaloza, Gon- 
zales, Bustamente, Juarez, Diaz, Madero, Huerta, Carranza, Villa, 
Zapata, Fierro, Ortega, Calles, and others too numerous for space. 

Quite an interesting aggregation of man-killers, are they not ? 
And what would we say of our own civilization, were we able to 
present a list of legalized murderers comparable with the fore- 
going? 

Of the potentials named only two succeeded in occupying the 
presidential chair for any length of time — Santa Ana and Diaz. 
The former was a bombastic, cowardly destroyer of human life; 
the latter a brave and capable man — a man who appeared to think 
of his country first, especially so during his declining years. Diaz 
designed and labored always to lift up and aid his people, and time 
will prove this true and likewise all the world will acknowledge 
that Porfirio Diaz was a marvelous man, quite noble in many re- 
spects and largely a true and practical humanitarian, although he 
did not proclaim the fact nor did he claim this distinction, based 
on a passion for humanity. In fact he was not eloquent at all. 

Had Diaz lived, had he remained chief executive of Mexico, 
and had he had opportunity to select and coach his successor, cer- 
tain then the fact that Mexico would have fairly reveled in happi- 
ness and prosperity instead of bloodshed and debauchery. 



OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 29 

Strange, is it not, that all Mexicans are incapable of realizing 
the awful consequences attending departure from an established 
government, or of any attempt to change stable conditions, such 
as established and maintained by Diaz ? In this respect they differ 
as does day from night, when compared with reasoning and ra- 
tional Anglo-Saxons. 

Nevertheless, we may well believe that every Mexican revo- 
lutionary prays his gods that Mr. Wilson will continue to be pres- 
ident of the United States, for they must be well convinced that, 
whatever be the volume of savagery indulged in by the various fac- 
tions, or however deep they sink in the mire of depravity, one 
thing they feel certain of, and that is, that they run little risk of 
being interfered with by the gentleman who occupies the White 
House at the time these lines are written. 

On the other hand, they have been notified in advance by 
Mr. Hughes, the Republican nominee, that when he becomes pres- 
ident he will compel the irresponsibles to respect the persons and 
property of all Americans. And this is what the revolutionists 
very much wish to avoid doing. 

No wonder then that Don Venistiano Carranza is doubly willing 
to avoid all signs of clashing and of discord with this country, or 
among his own people, and Villa even may remain in seclusion 
until the elections are held. 

However, no one can predict to a certainty what the rascals 
will do, so addicted are they to blood spilling. 

REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY 

Much of the earlier history of Mexico following the year of 
independence is considerably obscured. Concise data is scarcely 
obtainable concerning the acts and lives of the various politico- 
military potentials already listed. Historians have never been 
popular in Mexico, except when they become the recorders of ex- 
aggeration when lauding the person in power for the time being. 
Were they to reveal the true state of affairs and remain in Mexico, 
they would be shot, or mysteriously disappear. 

Following the acknowledgement of independence by Spain, 



30 OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 

many Spaniards remained in Mexico. Naturally these persons 
could not reconcile themselves to the fact that the country was 
lost to Spain, or if at all, only temporarily. 

Therefore the Spaniards occasionally participated in conspir- 
acies. The leading business men were Spaniards. This class built 
up and developed the country. 

The activities of the Dons finally became so pronounced that 
Santa Ana decided to banish all of them, first confiscating all goods 
of value and their lands. A degree of expulsion was promulgated 
and the Spaniards were exiled. Villa followed this plan. 

Spain resented this action against her Nationals and decided 
to force Mexico to pay indemnity which was impossible at the time 
as Mexico had no funds. 

At all times until 1898, Spain maintained an army in Cuba. 
A fleet was assembled and troops were transported to Mexico. 
These were landed at Tampico, where they were speedily cap- 
tured by Santa Ana, who, contrary to all rules of the game, did 
not shoot his prisoners but forced them to return to Cuba empty- 
handed. 

Possibly Santa Ana was generous because he realized the time 
might come when he would seek refuge in Cuba, which was true. 
At the same time he had his hands full of trouble at home, as 
Generals Pedraga and Guerrero were seeking the presidency, backed 
by armed gangs of cut-throats similar to the Villistas of today. 

In 1823 Stephen Foster Austin, an American, obtained a large 
land concession in Texas and encouraged his countrymen to adven- 
ture into the new land of promise. By 1835 the American settlers 
had made wonderful progress and created much wealth. The Mex- 
icans, naturally envious and suspicious, were disposed to expel the 
Americans in order to gain possession of their properties. Even- 
tually they attempted to do so. 

In 1839 Guerrero became provisional president. From 1829 
until 1832 Santa Ana, Bustamento, Pedraga, and Guerrero were 
engaged in continuous warfare for the purpose of gaining the 
presidency. In this, the situation was much the same as in our 
time— 1913, 1914, 1915 and 1916. 



OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 31 

In 1831 Guerrero was eliminated by the process of charging 
him with high treason and putting him to death when a prisoner. 

The war for supremacy then raged between the others with 
occasional interruptions due to the defection of underlings or the 
murder or execution of unarmed, but over-ambitious weaklings. 

The peon suffered at that time as he suffered during 1912, 
1913, 1914, 1915 and 1916. They were exploited ; they were driven 
as slaves; they were tortured and executed. Hell's Delight raged 
throughout the land. Thousands were ruthlessly slaughtered. Mex- 
ican writers say that blood flowed in streams while bandit leaders 
fought for supremacy. 

Men became targets for the firing squads. In this manner 
thousands were * ' executed, ' ' which to this day remains the favorite 
method of disposing of the opposition. 

AMERICANS— YAQUIS— MEXICANS 

By 1830 there were about 30,000 American settlers in Texas. 
For most part they were from Kentucky, Tennessee, and various 
Southern States. They were developed in an atmosphere of danger 
and adventure. They were intrepid from birth, experience and 
environment — true frontiersmen and every one a skilled rifleman. 
To these men the Indian was a natural enemy and one to be re- 
moved on slight provocation. 

That they had no love for Texas Mexicans, who were dirty 
and filthy, far in excess of all North American Indians, scarcely 
requires mention. That the Americans would finally clash with the 
Mexicans was inevitable. 

In passing one may state that it is to be regretted that we do 
not possess a greater number of the same type of citizen in Texas 
and throughout Mexico at this time. Were 100,000 Texans located 
in Mexico the problem would soon be solved. 

If such were the case it is largely probable that all Mexico 
would share the fate of Texas and become civilized and 
Americanized. 

The early frontiersman was usually the master of the Indian 



32 OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 

in battle. At the same time our North American Indians were far 
superior to the Mexicans in battle. That this is true, even to this 
day, has been amply demonstrated by the Yaqui Indians of Sonora. 
The Yaquis are none other than a type of Apache, and they bear a 
supreme contempt for all Mexicans. 

In this connection, be it remembered, that General Diaz en- 
deavored to eliminate the Yaquis, and commenced a war of ex- 
termination about the year 1895, at which time the Yaquis num- 
bered about 25,000. 

That the Yaquis still survive, and find it not at all difficult to 
defeat the Mexicans, even when out-numbered five to one, proves 
conclusively that they are vastly superior to the Mexicans as 
fighters. 

TEXAS FRONTIERSMEN 



a 



The Americans who settled Texas were men. They were not 
molly-coddles." They were not *'too proud to fight." The cry 
of "Peace at any price" did not appeal to them. 

Had any American politician dared to talk of peace and 
"passions," or of fatuous watchful waiting, or prated on the sub- 
ject of humanitarianism at a time when bloodthirsty Mexicans were 
engaged in the delightful pastime of butchering each other for the 
sheer joy of killing, and murdering Americans because of the an- 
nounced and well-known fact that the United States would not 
interfere in any manner, certain then the fact that the Texan of 
the old days would apply terms not altogether complimentary to 
the person or persons taking such stand. 

Nevertheless, an academic politician has assumed such attitude 
before the world and the American people. Moreover he appears 
to expect that we do him high homage and indorse him in every 
respect. 




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CHAPTER V 

TOO PROUD TO FIGHT 

Texas contains more real Americans — men who can trace their 
ancestry back to colonial and revolutionary stock — than any state 
in the Union, and they are decidedly and deadly opposed to the idea 
of submitting to imposition, insults, and indignities at the hands 
of Mexicans. No true Texan would permit a Mexican coyote to 
kill Americans, which is the rare privilege that has been extended 
to them since March, 1913. 

Nor may mere political loyalty cause Texans to indorse any 
man who has permitted these things to happen. 

Had the Texans of 1835 been ''too proud to fight," had they 
submitted to indignities and supinely permitted the Mexicans to 
murder them, then never would the United States be the glorious 
country that it is; for Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, 
Nevada, Utah, Colorado and a portion of other states contained 
in original Mexican domain would still be Mexican territory. 

BRAVE TEXANS 

To Davy Crockett and the Alamo in the first instance, and 
the slaughter of Colonel Fanning and four hundred companions 
in the second, do we owe great obligation, for through the sacrifice 
of such heroes was an empire won, and a vast territory is inhabited 
by happy and prosperous millions — not by a mere handful of 
human monsters, as would be the case were Mexico still in posses- 
sion of Texas. 

A few thousand armed Texans defeated the entire military 
power of Mexico. Internal conditions were so favorable at the 
time that Santa Ana was able to leave the capital and take personal 
command of the forces designed to overwhelm and exterminate the 

33 



34 OVR MEXICAN MUDDLE 



ti 



Gringos.'* On the contrary this snaky chieftain was taken pris- 
oner and compelled to sign a treaty of peace which guaranteed the 
independence of Texas. 

Therefore your historian is not permitted to point to any in- 
stance indicating that the early Texan was recreant, or a coward, 
or disloyal, or a man to be spit upon, or one who would permit a 
Mexican to abuse him or submit to insults and indignities, which 
present-day Americans have endured. 

TEXAN VS. MEXICAN 

Brief mention of the comparative value of the Texan, or aver- 
age American, as a fighting machine, contrasted with the Mexican, 
is made for the purpose of more fully exposing the fallacious 
canard emanating from Washington to the effect that 500,000 sol- 
diers would be necessary and that it would take years of hard fight- 
ing, with a consequent heavy loss of life, before we finally defeated 
the Mexicans, were we to go to *'war" with, Mexico. 

It is quite impossible to find any excuse or rational purpose 
to cover this monumental fabrication other than political design, 
and such misrepresentation of the truth of the real necessities in- 
volved, and of the number of men to be employed in case of war, 
harmonizes beautifully with watchful waiting and with Mr. "Wil- 
son's seeming intention to prevent interference of any kind with 
the privileges of Mexican cut-throats, however ferocious be the bar- 
barities practised by them, all of which leads to the conclusion that 
the huge and unwarranted untruth was invented to appease those 
who do not know the truth — a falsehood designed to catch votes 
and mislead the people. 

Huerta was eliminated merely by occupying Vera Cruz, but 
it is not likely that political Washington had the least idea that 
Mr. Wilson's personal enemy would be disposed of in this way. 
Vera Cruz was occupied for the purpose of preventing a shipment 
of rifles, quick-firers and ammunition from reaching Huerta. 

Moreover, the act of landing marines constituted an act of 
war, and, as war had not been declared in advance, the skirmish 
that followed the landing of an armed force can technically be 



OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 35 

termed murder. Anyway our marines were a sacrifice to official 
stupidity. Possibly this accounts for the fact that each victim 
was buried with military honors usually accorded commanding 
officers. 

At all events Huerta's army of 40,000 melted away, and at a 
later date Villa's force of 20,000 melted into thin air — simply by 
depriving the ''pet" bandit of the privilege of obtaining military 
stores in the United States. When Mexico was invaded by a small 
army under General Pershing, it was proved conclusively that a 
small army of seasoned and well-armed Americans could easily 
overrun and subjugate the entire country. 

But, and do not forget this essential fact, had Mr. Wilson em- 
ployed the army to protect Americans and foreigners, and to 
avenge the death of unprotected and defenseless Americans, or 
prevent the slaughter of 100,000 defenseless Mexicans, then the 
avowed intent, or political subterfuge, designed to present Mr. 
Wilson to the world and to the vi)ters of the United States as the 
great peace president, as the man who prevented the killing of an 
army of American soldiers, and of saving millions for the people, 
of course such a pretty plan would have been destroyed. 

Therefore it became necessary to manufacture huge difficulties 
to be overcome, and create the impression that the Mexicans had 
large and well organized armies, and that all Mexico would rise 
up as one man against us, and that the various contenders for 
power would unite to fight us, which, together with an endless string 
of similar fabrications, had the effect of causing a great many men 
to indorse the president's policy as related to Mexico. 

And, worst of all, this fact, that with these terrible conditions 
existing, or so represented, and the doom of countless American 
soldiers thus anticipated and already sealed, this government per- 
mitted the unlimited export of firearms and ammunition into Mex- 
ico from the United States, each bearing this label, ''Made in the 
U. S. A." This was permitted when it was well known that Mexico 
obtained from the United States no less than ninety percent of all 
munitions used for warlike purpose, and that Mexico depended, 
and still depends, on the United States for such supplies. 



36 OUR MEXICAN MUDDLE 

CHICANERY 

What is the answer? 

Simply this: That this government has never felt the least 
alarm concerning what Mexico would, could or might do, or whether 
the arms and ammunition exported from the United States into 
Mexico were to be used in killing unarmed and defenseless Amer- 
icans residing in Mexico, or our own soldiers, or the submerged 
''under dogs." 

This government (that is, the administration in office from 
March, 1913, until March, 1917) was not alarmed, because it never 
intended to take any action in Mexico as long as it was possible to 
sustain the attitude that this country would avoid war, however 
heinous be the offenses committed against us. 

Therefore the volume of prevarication with which we have 
been fed; therefore the murder of hundreds of our countrymen; 
therefore the destruction of billions in property ; therefore the rav- 
ishment of an earthly paradise; therefore the annihilation of the 
splendid progress we built up in Mexico; therefore the barbarous 
slaughter of every Mexican who met death because of the revo- 
lution. 

Nor will such end so long as an impractical man is president 
of these United States, nor may he undo the evil he has done by 
reversing himself at the eleventh hour, whether such is due to the 
fact that he perceives wherein he was wrong and lacking in wis- 
dom, or is done for political purposes. 

For after all the real Mexican problem is one that is purely 
political so far as political Washington is concerned. 

THE VERA CRUZ FIASCO 

Political Washington has consistently avoided all reference to 
the real object that caused the issuance of the order to take posses- 
sion of Vera Cruz, In reality it was for the purpose of preventing 
the delivery of 20,000 rifles, 125 machine guns and fifteen million 
rounds of cartridges consigned to Huerta by German shippers. 



OUR MEXICAN MUDDLE 37 

Had the arms in question been landed at Vera Cniz they would, 
in all probability, have finally found their way to Villa and Car- 
ranza, at least Huerta would never possess them. 

Now we imagine that there was quick action elsewhere than 
in the White House when it was learned that the arms were likely 
to fall into the hands of our naval authorities. We imagine that 
German diplomats got busy and saw to it that the munitions did 
reach Huerta, as was the case, and without further interference 
on the part of this government. 

There was a vast difference between the influences at work — 
Huerta was helpless, but Germany was quite the reverse, and, 
having recognized Huerta as president of Mexico, it was decided 
that the consignment be delivered — and it was. 

TEXAS VS. MEXICO 

From 1825 until 1835 many Americans migrated to Texas. 
The vast grassy plains, a rich soil and salubrious climate attracted 
them. Cattle could be raised to advantage. 

As the Americans grew stronger the Mexicans became suspi- 
cious. By 1830 General Bustamento, who had been exiled, was 
returned to favor and was directed to proceed to Texas and erect 
a number of forts in different parts of the State. 

An open rupture took place in 1833, when a party of Texans 
captured a Mexican general named Velaseo, together with two hun- 
dred soldiers. 

Colonel Fanning, with 425 Texans, engaged 2,700 Mexicans 
at Golidad, Texas. He would have defeated the enemy, but owing 
to the fact he was without ammunition the Texans were forced to 
surrender. 

It was agreed that the Americans be paroled and returned to 
the United States, but the Mexicans followed their usual method 
as soon as the prisoners had been deprived of their weapons. 
Nearly every Texan was ** executed." Only four succeeded in 
escaping. 

In 1835 the Texans defeated a small Mexican army at Gonzales. 



38 OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 

On March 2nd, 1836, the Americans declared for independence. 
Three days later Santa Ana assailed the Alamo in San Antonio, 
which was occupied and defended by a party of Americans com- 
manded by Davy Crockett, that famous pioneer and Indian fighter. 
The Americans fought until every man was killed. Conversant 
with Mexican military methods they knew that they would be put 
to death if they surrendered or were captured. But as long as any 
man lived who remembered the glorious defense of the Alamo, and 
the indomitable courage and fighting spirit of the Americans, just 
so long did they revere the memory of the sacrificed. And Mexi- 
cans who were there never forgot, and however cheap the Mexicans 
hold the lives of the peon soldiery, they were amazed by the havoc 
and slaughter inflicted by the Americans. ''Remember the Alamo" 
was the battle cry of Texas, and they fought vrith incredible cour- 
age and fury. In a few months they gained the independence of 
Texas and every armed Mexican withdrew across the Rio Grande 
or to New Mexico. 

REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY AGAIN 

From 1830 until 1840 Mexico was torn by continuance of in- 
ternal strife. Mexican historians state that the different con- 
tenders for superiority were constantly losing or gaining; that 
their commands were defeated, destroyed, dispersed, only to be 
recruited with a new crop of victims. There was bloodshed every- 
where and all fertile lands were laid waste. Plagues and starva- 
tion resulted and countless dead remained unburied. The same 
old story about liberty and independence was employed to beguile 
the peon. 

In turn the peon was taught to rob, to slay, to destroy. In 
the end death was his only reward. 

And shall we ever know how great the number of those sac- 
rificed since March, 1913 ? Shall we ever know how great the suf- 
fering endured by the helpless and how many starved to death, 
and how many were murdered, since the rupture between Villa and 
Carranza took place? 



OVB MEXICAN MUDDLE 39 

Did Mr. Wilson in any manner prevent these things? Did 
he lessen the suffering of the defenseless in any way? Is it not 
a fact that his equivocal position (equivocal to unreasoning Mex- 
icans) served to intensify every evil? Is it not a fact that Red 
Cross supplies were not accepted and distributed because of such 
created antagonism towards Americans — antagonism based on a 
misconception of the president's attitude and expressed profes- 
sions — all of which were regarded with suspicion by all Mexicans? 
Would it not have been of vast advantage to suffering Mexico and 
to ourselves had Mr. Wilson understood the mental peculiarities — 
the unreasoning mind — of the Mexicans, then have indulged less 
in eloquence and more in practical action ? 

Surely all this is exceedingly plain to all men. 

In 1837, Bustamente became president. The title and position 
was held for a brief period, a very inadequate reward for the years 
of effort on the part of this patriot. 

During the same year France found it necessary to employ 
force in order to compel Mexico — or Mexicans — to respect the per- 
sons and property of her citizens. 

November 27th, 1837, a French fleet captured San Juan de 
Ullo, the fort which guards the approach to Vera Cruz from the 
gulf. The fort was then a famous stronghold and mounted many 
cannon, all of which were of the type used by all nations at that 
time. 

The French held possession for some time, for it was not until 
1839 that the Mexicans were able to pay the indemnities demanded. 
The United States did not interfere as would be the case today. 

The Monroe Doctrine was not used to any great extent in those 
days merely for political effect and spectacular bluff. At the same 
time no rational people would have been guilty of the acts which 
caused France to act. 

Following the affair with France, matters went from bad to 
worse. Bustamente was deposed. Santa Ana was exiled to Cuba, 
w^here he could not have gone had he treated the Spanish troops 
badly at the time he effected their capture, which is referred to 



40' OVR MEXICAN MUDDLE 

elsewhere. Santa Ana also had in his possession practically every 
dollar the treasury had contained prior to his departure for Cuba. 
Hence he was doubly welcome in Havana, where he came in contact 
with kindred spirits and certain Spaniards who were willing to 
finance his designs upon Mexico. 

On this occasion Santa Ana did not tarry long in Cuba. Con- 
ditions being favorable, he returned to Mexico and reentered the 
vortex of revolution, which had not ceased at his departure. In- 
deed this man had to leave his native land several times, the last 
departure taking place in 1853, at which time he was involved in 
the scandal connected with the Gadsden purchase. 

As it was when Santa Ana was exiled, so too were the condi- 
tions in Mexico after Diaz was forced to leave. Revolution raged 
on, usually growing worse as time passed. 

From 1840 until 1845 Bravo, Santa Ana, Canalizo, and Her- 
rero w^ere, from time to time, occupants of the presidential palace. 
At this time the national debt exceeded $200,000,000. That of the 
United States was scarcely $20,000,000. Mexico owed England, or 
British investors, $60,000,000 at this time, which, since there were 
no railroads in Mexico, and no great constructive enterprises, men- 
of-war, or large steamers, contracted for, the obligation was there- 
fore the result of a succession of loans negotiated by sucessive ad- 
ministrations, some of the money going to the army, but most 
to the grafting gentlemen who misgoverned the country. 

In 1842 the American minister to Mexico was instructed by the 
Secretary of State to press the payment of indemnity claims 
amounting to $2,000,000, which was due Americans because of 
property loss and injuries sustained at the hands of irresponsible 
Mexicans. It is likely that our claims will exceed $500,000,000 up 
to January first, 1917. 

Historical instances prove that whenever a people and their 
government is unreliable and irresponsible, when their officials, 
the police and the soldiery are of a tyipe such as found in Mexico, 
then continuously and forever some innocent person is abused and 
victimized. Foreigners (and Americans are foreigners in Mexico) 
who are accustomed to rational and well-regulated conditions in 



OUR MEXICAN MUDDLE 41 

their own countries, and to courteous treatment at the hands of 
government officials, and to such liberty as we possess, become tar- 
gets, or easy-marks, for rapacious rascals in irresponsible Latin- 
American States. 

In 1842 it was an exceedingly dangerous undertaking for any 
foreigner to adventure into Latin-American countries, even on 
commercial business. When the petty grafters discovered that the 
victim possessed goods of value, jewels, or real money, then needs 
be they deprive the unfortunate person of all he had. And woe 
unto him, for in most cases he was fortunate to escape with his 
life. And conditions are practically the same in Mexico at this 
time. 



CHAPTER VI 

EVENTS LEADING TO WAR WITH MEXICO 

In 1844 Texas was annexed to the United States. For eight 
years the "Lone Star" state held sturdily to independence and 
liberty. But Anglo-Saxons in Texas, being true Americans, pre- 
ferred the advantages obtainable through annexation with the par- 
ent republic; hence Texas became one of the bright stars of our 
country. 

Mexicans in power at the time puffed and babbled. Unable to 
regain Texas while the latter was independent, but dependent upon 
its small army, the Mexican Dons boasted that they would take 
Texas from the United States. 

With characteristic flow of bombast they declared it had ever 
been their intention to regain Texas and that they had prepared 
for the undertaking. The Mexican minister to the United States 
went so far as to indicate that his government regarded the annex- 
ation of Texas by the United States as being in the nature of an 
unfriendly act on the part of this government. 

As the years passed Americans flocked to Texas, thus contrib- 
uting largely to the development of the vast resources of the state, 
and in creating splendid material values as indicated by- cities, 
which grew rapidly. 

The Mexicans, more envious than ever, resolved to repossess 
themselves of the lost domain. The lower classes were encouraged 
to believe that, when Mexico regained Texas, the new' cities and 
towns should be given over to them. 

In fact the peon class of 1914, 1915 and 1916 were informed 
that ''when the soldiers of Mexico invaded the United States they 
would regain all of the territory taken by the Americans in 1847. ' ' 
This bait was put out for the purpose of corrupting the lower class 
of Mexicans residing in the United States, or the class known as 

42 



OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 4Z 

Texas-Mexicans. Mexican leaders have always hood-winked the 
lower, or peon class, with such alluring Ignis Fatui. In this way 
they offer reward for valor, but never carry out any promise. 
Death is the usual reward of the dupes. 

WAR AND TERRITORY 

By December, 1845, matters had become painfully acute be- 
tween the United States and Mexico. Then, as now, the Mexicans 
were guilty of acts of violence, murder, confiscation of property, 
and imprisoning our people. 

They were guilty of these acts in connection with their endless 
revolutions. They were crafty enough to perceive that it was quite 
impossible for the Americans to distinguish one party from another, 
just as it is always impossible for us to decide on the identity and 
responsibility of those we call Carrancistas, or those called Villis- 
tas. They look alike and they are alike. A name only divides 
them — and that is soon changed for protection. 

Not only were the Mexicans guilty of all manner of evil acts 
as applied to our people, but they became doubly objectionable 
because they desired to avenge the taking of Texas. 

In deportment and in every act they were as damnable as they 
have been since 1911. That Americans did not visit vegeance, or 
reprisal upon those Mexicans who live among us was of no conse- 
quence. ''What is it to us that the Gringoes do not kill Mexicans? 
They are cowards and fools not to kill when they can." In this 
manner they reason not at all. 

Moreover a Mexican is not capable of remembering. It has 
been a long time since the Americans and the French chastised 
them. It is always necessary to teach the semi-savage to respect 
force. It is the only thing he will respect. 

In 1845 Mexico was, territorially, larger than the United 
States. Her population was seven million and ours twenty-five 
million. We possessed quite a large number of warships, some of 
which were propelled by sail, others by steam ; our army was rela- 
tively small. 



44 OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 

Mexico did not possess any war vessels. The army was proble- 
matical numerically. No man knew how many or how few the 
number. After events showed that Mexico could not arm 40,000 
men and that less than 20,000 were at hand when hostilities com- 
menced. 

James Knox Polk, eleventh president of the United States, 
occupied the White House in 1845, or at the time of the inception 
of the Mexican war. It is interesting to note in this relation that 
Mexico had been independent (?) for nearly twenty years. Yet 
during this brief period more than eleven "provisional" presidents 
had mis-served the people. Of these, only the crafty Santa Ana 
had survived. 

As against our well regulated political standards and method 
of electing chief executives, contrast the conditions which were in 
vogue in Mexico prior to our war of conquest, likewise the methods 
surviving even until this day. Mr. Wilson recognized V. Carranza 
as president or as the head of a '*de facto" government. But 
Carranza never was selected or elected by the people. Now with 
Mr. Polk we have an earlier example of the manipulations of a 
politician intended to increase his popularity with the people. 

The same degree of incertitude characterized the attitude and 
actions of Mr. Polk as shown recently by Mr. Wilson. But Mr. 
Polk did not play the watchful waiting game to a ridiculous limit 
and exhaust the patience of the people. Mr. Polk really woke up 
in the course of time — nevertheless too late to serve his political 
designs. 

So, too, does it appear that Mr. Wilson shall not gain renown 
by what he has left undone or by what he may do in Mexico. There 
are good reasons why Fate and Destiny and the people will refuse 
to indorse his Mexican policy. As it was with Polk, so too may we 
expect that the same consequences will overtake his unconscious 
imitator. 

We cannot go into the matter of detail relating to our ques- 
tionable treaty of peace with Mexico in 1847, nor of all of the 
underhand diplomatic deals engineered — or mismanaged — ^by Mr. 
Polk with Santa Ana, nor of the similar or comparative deals nego- 



OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 45 

tiated, effected, or mismanaged by this government with Villa and 
Carranza through consular agents, nor submit complete details 
relating to the Gadsden purchase of 1853, or of the final distribu- 
tion of the fifteen million dollars alleged to have been paid to 
Mexican grafters in 1848, and of seven million five hundred thou- 
sand paid in 1853, but we would like to do so. 

We do not know what became of the money paid to Santa Ana 
in the Gadsden deal in 1853. But, judging by the fact that not 
one politician in all Mexico (with the exception of Porfirio Diaz) 
ever left a dollar in the national treasury, and, as all Mexican 
historians are agreed that Santa Ana was first, last, and always a 
grafter, certain it is that of the portion of the large sums appro- 
priated by this government to be paid to Mexico, the portion so 
intended never reached the people nor benefited them in any way. 

Santa Ana was banished because of his participation in the 
Gadsden deal, .and from that time on he was a dead letter in 
Mexican affairs. 

While we cannot trace the money, so far as American grafters 
were concerned, we are permitted the privilege of believing that 
not all of the golden ducats found lodgment in Mexico. Nor 
would all of the money designed as a salve unto Colombia reach 
its alleged destination. Some would remain in the United States. 
None would reach the common people of Colombia. 

POLK VS. SANTA ANA 

As soon as Mr. Polk sent the fleet to Mexico, the political mess- 
pot of that country was in a turmoil. Herrera was deposed and 
Canalizo succeeded him. This weakling proved cowardly and unfit. 
Then the third aspirant. Parades, was called to the office of pro- 
visional president. 

This valorous and vain-glorious Mexican became imbued with 
the idea that the time was at hand for some one to become the su- 
preme head and not the titular designate of government. So he 
sought to establish himself under the title of, or as, ''King of New 
Spain." He was erratic and unreasoning, and at the same time 



46 OVR MEXICAN MUDDLE 

drastic, so far as his attitude towards the United States was con- 
cerned. Thus he became largely responsible for the actual decla- 
ration of war between the two countries and the final humiliation 
of Mexico. 

OUR EARLY BLUNDERS WITH MEXICO. HISTORY 

BEING REPEATED 

While General Taylor and his handful of brave followers were 
busily engaged in smashing and defeating the Mexicans in battle 
after battle, such as Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey ati 1 
Saltillo, our civilian politicians were equally as active in Wash- 
ington — ^but in quite a different manner, so different in fact that 
Polk's reputation for honorable conduct was considerably smirched. 

In the first place history tends to show that Mr. Polk was in 
no wise better informed concerning Mexico and Mexican character 
than Mr. Wilson. It appears that Mr. Polk had the idea that 
Paredes was personally responsible for the war and that every diffi- 
culty could be adjusted were Santa Ana restored to power. 

At the same time agents of Santa Ana were active in Washing- 
ton, which was not surprising as the wily Mexican had been presi- 
dent so often that every Mexican in diplomatic service had, in one 
way or the other, served his interests. As an aside let it be under- 
stood that Mexican ambassadors or agents accredited to other coun- 
tries, do not represent Mexico, but serve the person recognized by 
other governments as titular head of the government of Mexico. 

As it is a fact that periods existed when Mexico was without 
an executive, or a person recognized as the head of a so-called de 
facto government, it was then the rule for each and every person 
seeking such power to maintain a Junta, or a representative in 
Washington. 

During certain perilous times confronting Mr. Wilson, Wash- 
ington was alive with different Mexican agents representing the 
various contenders for power in Mexico. Nor were the battling 
heroes in Mexico content to trust entirely in their agents, for they 
also engaged the services of American lawyers as they soon learned 
that some of our legal lights would do almost anything for money. 



r 



OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 47 

They were, of course, careful to select lawyers presumably 
possessing political influence with the administration — whichever 
might be in office at the time — and lawyers, not overburdened with 
love or loyalty for the United States. 

GOVERNMENTAL RASCALITY 

It was not difficult then, for Mr. Polk to arrange matters with 
Santa Ana, who was again in exile and located in Havana. "When 
the deal with Santa Ana was proposed, and finally consummated, 
optimistic American politicians of the time were quite confident 
they had solved a vexatious problem. 

At the same time many Mexicans turned to Santa Ana in the 
hour of national peril believing that he was the only person capable 
of combating the victorious Americans, for Taylor's successes had 
spread consternation throughout Mexico and the capitol was in a 
panic. 

Now Paredes was as embarassing and as objectionable to Mr. 
Polk as Huerta was to Mr. Wilson. Polk desired to eliminate 
Paredes and Mr. Wilson desired to eliminate Huerta. Mr. Polk 
made the error of dealing with the personal enemies of Parades, 
and Mr. Wilson also appears to have interfered with the internal 
affairs of Mexico by favoring the enemies of Huerta, all being un- 
appreciative mortals who were anything but grateful for the as- 
sistance rendered by this government, or by Mr. Wilson. 

The conduct of Santa Ana in his day, and the conduct of Villa 
and of Carranza, both, so far as relates to their attitude towards 
us, and in practising duplicity, or so far as relates to deals of any 
kind with this government, were in all respects much alike. One 
was on a par with the other, and each is highly gratified when he 
out-wits us, or obtains any advantage through deceit. 

And as they doubt the sincerity of each other, and in accord 
with their habit of practising deceit at all times, so too do they 
doubt all men and believe that pretty words are intended to mask 
sinister designs. For as they are, so do they imagine that all men 
are of like kind. 



48 OVR MEXICAN MUDDLE 

SANTA ANA VS. THIS GOVERmiENT 

When Santa Ana returned from exile, the populace greeted 
him with a brave display of enthusiasm. In their usual ebullient 
manner they acclaimed and hailed the man as the saviour of Mexico, 
for it is the invariable habit of the Mexicans to anticipate and to 
count a thing as accomplished by a process of mental delusion. 
They have only to plan what appears to be a vast undertaking, 
when, lo and behold, it is done. 

So they already imagined Santa Ana in the role of an absolute 
and irresistible conqueror. So, too, do they believe even now that 
the generals of Mexico can win victory over the Americans. 

When Santa Ana returned, bombast and music and wine were 
the order of the day. Eternal vows were made, not that Santa Ana 
should diplomatically extricate his country from the terrors and 
effect of an involved war, and undo the evil occasioned by Parades, 
but rather that Santa Ana actually prosecute a greater war against 
the Americans and drive them out of Mexico. 

Santa Ana exaggerated the manifestation of welcome and per- 
suaded himself to believe that he could defeat the Americans and 
become more powerful than ever in Mexico. 

This taint contaminates all ambitious Mexicans. Each is pos- 
sessed with the idea that HE alone is GREAT, and that HE alone 
can accomplish wonders. 

The conduct of Santa Ana soon disabused the minds of those 
who constituted ''this" government. (1845-1846.) They soon 
realized that instead of remedying matters Santa Ana had made 
them a thousand times worse. But they did not waste time offering 
excuses or in trying to explain matters. They did not expatiate 
on the subject of humanity. On the contrary, they worked over- 
time to prepare for the effective invasion of Mexico. They were 
animated by the noble resolve to solve the problem in a practical 
and decided manner, even though over late. And they did. 

And again intrudes the reflection : How foolish and fatuous 
to place the least reliance in any Mexican. How silly to imagine 
that one shall prove more capable than another in conducting the 



OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 49 

affairs of so-called government. Since 1823 only one Mexican suc- 
ceeded in protracting his influence and imposing his excellent ad- 
ministrative capabilities upon his people. The great Diaz, and 
Diaz only. Yet this government actually permitted the annihilation 
of the dependable and desirable government established by this 
wonderful man. 



CHAPTER VII 

HERE FOLLOWS A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DIFFI- 
CULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY THE MEXICANS IN 
TRYING TO RAISE ARMIES TO OPPOSE THE 
AMERICANS. AN EXPOSE OF THE FALLACY 
OF MEXICAN PREPAREDNESS 

When Mr. Polk decided to wage active and irresistible war 
against Mexico it was arranged to attack the enemy at various 
points. In this way it came to pass that General Fremont, better 
known as the '' pathfinder, '* conducted an expedition across the 
desert to California, and there assisted by some warships, speedily 
captured San Francisco, Los Angeles, and other points. In this 
undertaking he was also aided by some adventurous Americans who 
had gone to California. They were not ''too proud to fight.'* In 
fact the whole Pacific Coast, as claimed by Mexico was dominated 
by our arms. 

In the meantime General Taylor had won the battle of Palo 
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Saltillo. In each instance 
this capable soldier and his little army defeated Mexican forces 
which outnumbered his force four to one. 

These successes, as indicated, terriorized the central, or federal 
district, in which the city of Mexico is situated. Santa Ana was 
urged, begged and implored to go forth and exterminate the in- 
vaders. 

As the army of the North had been smashed, Santa Ana had no 
large force with which to oppose the victorious Americans. Hence, 
he made San Louis Potosi his base for campaign purposes and pro- 
ceeded thither with the design to raise a force sufficient to over- 
whelm Taylor's army. 

Now we naturally assume that, in face of actual invasion the 
Mexicans would manifest tremendous enthusiasm and patriotism. 

50 



OUR MEXICAN MUDDLE 51 

Political Washington has continuously fed us on this canard, thai 
in event of open hostilities between Mexico and the United States, 
the former would rise as one man, spontaneously in fact, in defense 
of their country. All of which is a canard pure and simple, as will 
appear. 

On the contrary the Mexicans, even the fiery type which made 
San Luis their habitat, endeavored to avoid becoming one of the 
units of Santa Ana's army. The crafty commander experienced 
much difficulty in forming an army, and there was so much delay 
all Mexico became exasperated and alarmed. Finally conscription 
was resorted to. In the course of three months Santa Ana was able 
to set out with 22,000 men. In this manner did he convince this 
government that it had made a monumental error by placing any 
confidence in him. Nor can confidence be placed in any of them. 

Naturally the troops secured through conscription were crude, 
ignorant, and wholly inexperienced. The same may be said of any 
considerable force the Mexicans can assemble at any time — even 
now. 

And as the force under Santa Ana was wholly unable to com- 
bat the Americans, although outnumbering our troops four to one 
(22,000 to 5,000) and as they were defeated with consummate ease 
— although the historians naturally exaggerated the difficulties — 
so too shall our soldiers always be able to defeat any force the 
Mexicans are capable of raising for the purpose of giving battle to 
our troops. 

The march of the soldiers of Santa Ana from San Luis Potosi 
to the plains of Buena Vista calls forth praise. And were we writ- 
ing a story of the fortitude of men the details would be set down 
in these pages. But we write not of phj^sical feats but of the fact 
that the Mexican never has, nor never can equal the white man as 
a fighting machine. It is not in his blood and brain, and the Fates 
decree that by the white man he shall be vanquished. 

The battle of Buena Vista developed a peculier characteristic 
of the Mexicans — one well to remember. Now the average Mexican 
is like his ancestors, the Mongol. When the Mongolians meet the 
foe the tide of battle depends wholly upon one condition, or cir- 



52 OUR MEXICAN MUDDLE 

cumstance. The foe must run, and if he runs away then is a 
victory won. 

If he stands fast and refuses, or does not know how to run 
away, then the Mongol-Mexican runs instead. 

During the battle of Buena Vista the Mexicans charged and 
charged again. They threw overwhelming numbers against small 
American forces defending certain positions. The Americans re- 
fused to run, but stood and fought to the last. 

So the Mexican, in his illogical way, decided that, as the Ameri- 
can would not run, then was it required that he, the Mexican, should 
do the running. They were fully convinced that they were better 
fighters than the Americans but, the Americanos will not run. We 
cannot defeat them, so we shall go instead. 

Whereupon they retreated during the night. 

Even to this day will the result be the same. If a general en- 
gagement takes place and the Americans stand fast the Mexicans 
will run. 

When the Mexicans retreated they left many wounded on the 
field of battle. General Taylor sent couriers to Santa Ana telling 
him that he would not be molested if he sent for the wounded. 

Santa Ana returned word that as the Americans had wounded 
the Mexicans they were obliged to take care of them. This is a 
fair example of Mexican logic. The havoc wrought by our troops 
was excessive. Many prisoners were taken. In no instance was 
one mistreated or murdered. 

Had Santa Ana won the battle ; had prisoners been taken, then 
on the morrow every American would have been turned over to the 
tender mercies of a firing squad. 

We rage about the awful slaughter and of the barbarities prac- 
tised by fighting Europeans. We explode with indignation when 
we consider the horrible conditions existing in other lands, but we 
scarcely make a murmer over blood-thirsty Mexico, which, so far 
as damnable savagery is concerned, exceeds the records of every 
land and of every age. 

Is it strange that a monster such as Villa became the 
**pet^' and the special protege of the greatest government on earth 



OVR MEXICAN MUDDLE 53 

— or of the most emminent humanitarian, as the case may be ? Are 
we to sympathize with such savages because Mr. Wilson professes 
to hold a passion for them ? 

One might as well sympathize with the imps of hell. 

And strange too, this fact, that the ''under dogs" of Mexico 
feel only contempt for the passionate annunciator. They have no 
respect for any of our self-appointed humanitarians, or for those 
who try to save their lives by spouting eloquently. 

A MEXICAN ESTIMATE OF PATRIOT SANTA ANA 

In this volume the mention of the name of Santa Ana fre- 
quently occurs. We know him as a liberator, patriot, bandit, repro- 
bate, murderer, general, president, dictator, coward, traitor, or by 
any and all opprobrious terms that one is justified in applying to 
a scamp of high degree. 

And Santa Ana differed little from those of his kind. He was 
less hellish than Villa, and in no wise compared with Carranza in 
craftiness. 

Frequent reference to the man, and special mention in this 
chapter, is designed to awaken our people to a realization of the 
fact that as Santa Ana was a scamp and unreliable, so too, are all 
the others. All are unreliable and a damnable curse to humanity. 

As proof of this arraignment let us quote the words of an 
eminent Mexican authority who writes as follows, relating to the 
period of 1830-1836 : 

"A riot took place in the Capitol. The insurrection was sup- 
pressed promptly by the military chief, and a state of siege declared. 
This circumstance decided Santa Ana to make it appear that he 
had escaped from his jailer, for he was not a real prisoner, but 
merely made pretense of being one. 

"As the country was in an uproar and several political parties 
were active, Santa Ana conceived that it would serve his own pur- 
poses best were he to espouse the cause of the 'Reformists,' thus 
appear to be with the masses. In this way he regained the confi- 
dence of the people. 

In April of 1834, he suddenly and unexpectedly assumed the 



( ( 



54 OVB MEXICAN MUDDLE 

presidency. He dissolved the Congress and banished the Reformist 
leader, Gormez Farias. He persecuted the reformists. 

**In reality the conduct of the president was wise and proper, 
gauged by all standards, but his actions proved that he did not 
hesitate to practise any act of duplicity to gain his own ends. 

* * General Santa Ana was a man who possessed only the amount 
of intelligence necessary in those who live only to practise dis- 
simulation, perfidy and rascality. He was thought by some to be 
astute. In fact he was merely ignorant. 

**He was utterly ignorant but was sufficiently crafty to make 
it appear that all of the good sugestions made by his familiars, or 
counsellors, originated in him and were his own. 

* ' He was immensely ambitious, with an ambition that centupli- 
cated the error that it was he, more than all others, who founded 
the Republic, and that he was entitled to and possessed the right 
to exercise a conquerors privileges. 

*'His ambitions and his ideas were his sole religion, but kneaded 
with superstition and an ingenious belief in the theory that he was 
as chosen by providence for the roles he assigned to himself. 

* * Having the vanity of a Mulatto — since his blood was of mixed 
quality — he was easily influenced by adulation and such was as 
incense to his soul. 

* * He puffed up like an African Sultan and having no principle 
of any kind he had no scruples and did not hesitate to commit any 
disreputable act. 

*'He enjoyed great prestige among the troops, which regarded 
him as being of their own kind, but he was ignorant of the rudi- 
ments of military science, and would undertake any military enter- 
prise, for he imparted to the soldiers the idea that he was a bom 
leader, that he defied undaunted every danger, and therefore dis- 
dained to be guided by prudence or to take precautions. ' * 

''Nearly half a million pesos cash had been left in the treasury 
by Paredes, but before Santa Ana was able to manipulate his re- 
turn to power, the money had disappeared. Naturally General 
Santa Ana was deeply grieved and disappointed, as it was his habit 
to appropriate all public monies." 




THE "LION OF THE DESERT," GENERAL PERSHING 



OVB MEXICAN MUDDLE 55 



OF THE BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA 



Cf 



'If, at the head of the Mexican Army, there had been a gen- 
eral instead of vain, unsteady, ignorant, but loudly valorous man, 
the attack of our army on the Americans would have caused Taylor 
to retreat. But our soldiers were unfed and unled. They fought 
bravely and forgot hunger and weariness, but like all ill-nourished 
men and inexperienced, lacking confidence in their commanders, 
they were subject to panic. Besides, the soldiers on the battlefield 
of Buena Vista had been forced into the army by levy, and were 
trained by the whip, by beatings, by fear of execution, so they were 
not of the material from which heroes come, hence they fled. 

* * Santa Ana was not better than his soldiers for he abandoned 
the field before the supreme moment for decisive action had ar- 
rived. Thus he caused our army to retrocede into the desert where 
many perished of cold, nakedness, disease and hunger. 

' ' Santa Ana fled from probable victory to certain defeat. He 
fled toward Mexico, and he knew his power was on the wane, and in 
jeopardy, but beforehand he had caused couriers to proceed to the 
Capitol, and with supreme effrontery issued a bulletin of victory. 
But he had not defeated the enemy. He merely vanquished him- 
self. *' 

OF PEACE IN 1847 

* * To the president of our supreme court, Pene y Pena, we owe 
the good fortune of national existence, else the Americans would 
have absorbed all Mexico, and not been content with the territory 
which was finally exacted by them. 

* * From the first we realized that only by securing peace could 
we preserve national existe: ce. As soon as the capitol was occupied 
by General Scott our powe to resist was completely removed. Our 
ports were blockaded, our army wholly scattered. We were with- 
out arsenals, or a rescue supply of fire-arms or artillery. We were 
helpless and hopeless. 

**Yet there were those who found it easy to deliver declama- 
tions and assume an attitude of majestic inflexibility. It was thig 



56 



OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 



class who were unable to perceive that a state of anarchy prevailed 
and that some of the states were about to secede, thus threatening 
dismemberment entirely, while some of the states indicated a de- 
cided facility to accept American tutelage, being tired of the in- 
cessant disorders and violence, and the most enlightened openly 
espoused annexation. It needed but one more combat to force final 
humiliation upon us. 

**This was the situation which confronted us in 1847. We 
realized that the principle, ' That in no case must territory be given 
up/ was absurd and could not be sustained by an invaded and 
vanquished nation. We realized that it was better to yield a part 
rather than the whole of our country, which in the end has proven 
better for us as we were enabled to concentrate our energies in a 
field where our efforts would prove of greater value. 

**In the summer of 1852, a revolt broke out in Guadalajara, 
induced by the activities of the Santannists, which party particu- 
larly maintained cordial relations with the army. By October a 
general rebellion broke out, invading the capitol itself. 

''Arista was then in power. Santa Ana was again active in 
making endeavor to regain the presidency. Indeed the country 
was convulsed by a heterogeneous conflux of appetites, by those 
hungry with exasperating cravings, by those filled with reactionary 
instincts, by those afraid of the reformists, by those who desired to 
avenge something, by those who wished to rob some one, by those 
who demanded something to eat, by those fond of Labola. 

"Alaman resisted. General Uraga was called to suppress the 
insurrection, only to revolt himself, because higher authority re- 
moved him from command. Tampico revolted and established low 
customs to divert trade from Vera Cruz. Then the latter followed 
likewise with depreciated tariffs. 

''Meantime the central government increased the army. In- 
stead of putting an end to disorder much time was spent in parades 
and processions and military festivals. 

"Alaman assumed the role of dictator. He robbed the public 
funds, the general habit of all Mexican presidents, and the cause 
of the death of any government. 



OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 57 



ti 



Haro, who was Minister of Finance endeavored to remedy 
the actions of the agio jobbers, by introducing bold economics. This 
was done by hypothecating all of the revenues of the clergy. It 
was then that Santa Ana emerged again and forced the resignation 
of Alaman. 

* ' Now Alaman, like most Latins, was admirably adapted to the 
art of censuring those he hated. But he was exclusively the reverse 
in any and all matters relating to those he favored, and in lacking 
practical elements in conducting the affairs of government. 

''The work of the revolution soon proved compassless. Santa 
Ana, reactionary, was not to be reached by good counsel. His gov- 
ernment became personal and tyrannical. From the army he was 
named emperor and serene highness, and much pomp and splendor 
was incessantly displayed. He instituted and resurrected the mon- 
archial military order of Guadilupe, with all of the accompanying 
attire and gorgeous trappings affected by royalty. In this he as- 
pired to emulate Napoleon III, just as Iturbide, his long dead asso- 
ciate had aspired to imitate the first Napoleon. 

*'The crown was not far off. Santa Ana was a dispoiler. He 
squandered and showed shameless favoritism. There were orgies 
and balls. The army was dazzling. The regimentals were pic- 
turesque and costly. The women ablaze with wonderful jewels. 
Never had the republic been so enmired. Never had misery and ig- 
norance been so apparent." 

*'In 1856 another revolution broke out. This time in Pueblo. 
In a short time the very officers responsible for the first instituted 
a second — as in opposition to the first. 

' ' Comonf ort was now in power. In trying to stamp out the re- 
bellion he marched battalion after battalion to Pueblo, staining it 
over and over again with new streams of blood, finally capitulating 
the rebellion. It was then that Michael Miramon of Empire fame 
succeeded in escaping. 

* ' The Pueblo reactionaries had scarcely choked in blood before 
other officers of the Pronounciamiento army rebelled at San Luis 
Potosi. Then followed another long, expensive and bloody cam- 
paign. 



58 OVB MEXICAN MUDDLE 



i ( 



'About this time we became involved with England over the 
British Consul located at Tepic, a region that has always given 
the Federal government trouble. This we were compelled to settle 
with considerable degree of humiliation, as our representative in 
England advised us that it was necessary for us to act promptly. 
Besides we were well aware that we could not procrastinate or in- 
dulge in senseless diplomacy with Great Britain. ' ' 

Yet Santa Ana was recognized as the head of the Republic of 
Mexico time and again. Crime and pomp went hand in hand while 
he was in power. 

We can only imagine the number of murders, crimes, ** execu- 
tions, ' ' and the like, which occurred in Mexico during the first sixty 
years of independence. "While murder is a national, or inherited 
trait, yet the manner of it is handed down from generation to gen- 
eration. 



CHAPTER VIII 

MEXICO VS. AMERICA 

On March 29th, 1847, General Winfield Scott captured Vera 
Cruz. Now note the difference : General Hugh Scott, by direction 
of the president, became minister plenipotentiary to Villa, charged 
with the obligation of trying to persuade the eminent cut-throat to 
be good. A splendid adventure for one of our prominent generals, 
to be required to dicker with a cold blooded cut-throat, because he 
happened to be the ''pet" bandit of a great government. 

General Winfield Scott compelled the cut-throats to be good. 
Old "Fuss and Feathers" captured a Vera Cruz that differed 
greatly from the one occupied by our marines in 1914. 

In 1847 Scott captured a city that had been made all but im- 
pregnable. He lost one or two men. In 1914 we captured a de- 
fenseless city. Vera Cruz was utterly defenseless. We lost seven- 
teen men. 

In 1847 we fought for a good cause. In 1914 we occupied Vera 
Cruz in order to gratify a personal whim. This affair was a fiasco, 
resulting in many unnecessary deaths. 

In 1914 it was alleged that Huerta was to be compelled to 
salute the flag. In 1914 the cause of occupancy of Vera Cruz had 
nothing to do with ' ' Salute the flag. ' ' German war munitions were 
the cause. 

But the truth will out — "Usurper" Huerta secured the arms 
and munitions just the same. 

In 1847 many armed Mexicans were slain. In 1914 we killed 
over 200 unarmed Mexicans. 

In rapid succession Scott won Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Per- 
rote, Pueblo, Contreras, Churubusco, Milano del Key, Chapultepee. 
Then he captured the city of Mexico. He met superior numbers and 
defeated them with ease. It was only necessary for the Americans 

59 



60 OUE MEXICAN MUDDLE 

to WIN ONE BATTLE. To win ONE by ferocious fighting means 
to win ALL. The moral effect of one victory is such that all other 
battles are easy to win. 

During August of 1847, the Mexicans sought to stay utter de- 
feat by proposing an armistice. But they outraged every principle 
of honor involved by devoting every minute of respite for the pur- 
pose of preparing to continue the struggle. Hence Scott terminated 
the farce. 

Fortunately for ourselves and posterity, the president of the 
United States in 1846-1847, was not possessed of a ''passion*' for 
humanity, or if he was burdened with anything so unreal, so im- 
practical — at least as applied to Mexico — no one was aware of the 
fact. Nor was he obsessed by an exaggerated ego, one of the kind 
that causes a person to imagine that a condition exists, or that diffi- 
culties intrude, when such are largely imaginative. 

Wherefore the exaggerated dream of President Wilson ? Why 
the persistent claim that a vast army is necessary for the purpose 
of invasion or intervention? Was Mr. Wilson possessed with this 
fear during the summer of 1916, when he had Pershing remain in 
Mexico with 12,000 soldiers confronting a population of 15,000,000 ? 

Wherefore the constant contention that 500,000 American 
soldiers were necessary to invade Mexico and that the loss of life 
would be appalling ? 

Mr. Polk did not make the error of stating that the Mexican 
army numbered 500,000 and that the whole people would arise and 
combat invasion. He did not assert that a huge army was neces- 
sary for the purpose of conquest and subjection. He knew these 
things were not. He knew also that less than 20,000 Americans 
could do the trick and they did. The number was less than 15,000. 

Political hum-bug intruded in the war of 1847 just as it in- 
truded in 1914 and 1916, but was vastly different. So it came to 
pass that Mexico was invaded and thoroughly whipped, absolutely 
subjugated, as admitted by the Mexican historian. 

Think of it. A force of 15,000 Americans completely subju- 
gated 7,000,000 Mexicans. We then acquired vast dominion which 
has attained marvelous development. 



OVB MEXICAN MUDDLE 61 

In 1863, 12,000 French soldiers also subjugated Mexico. But 
in this instance they were aided by reactionary forces within the 
Republic. Then followed a series of internal revolutions, aided by 
exterior influences, which did not exist in 1847, nor are likely to 
exist at this time. 

The foregoing merely proves that our statements are not ex- 
aggerated so far as relates to the fact that revolution was endless 
and that the old time leaders were like unto those whose names are 
so familiar; such as Madero, Huerta, Villa, Carranza, Zapata, and 
the like. 

Following the peculiar patched up treaty of peace agreed to 
by both countries, and the withdrawal of our troops, Santa Ana 
was again exiled. 

Now had President Polk forgotten Santa Ana existed, or had 
forced him to remain in Cuba in the first place, the so-called war 
would have ended at Monterey. But Polk, like Wilson, imagined 
that crafty dickering would accomplish what arms could not. 
Neither possessed a knowledge of Mexican character. 

Hence Polk failed with Santa Ana, and Wilson has failed in 
all of his dealings with Mexico. His every plan, so far as relates 
to avoidance of armed occupation of Mexico, has proven to be futile. 

Santa Ana not only "double-crossed'* Mr. Polk but he also 
deceived his own people, and deserted every Mexican commander 
when it appeared that any of them was making a brave and capable 
stand against the Americans. 

Evidently Santa Ana would not let one man do what he could 
not do himself. 

The record of the men who attained, or attempted to attain, 
military prominence in Mexico, is such that we can do no less than 
qualify each as representing the cardinal vices ; such as cowardice, 
perfidy, murder, craftiness, savagery, and dishonor. It is quite im- 
possible to designate any of the clique — to name the exception — 
and show that any Mexican military commander was entitled to 
the distinction of being called a gentleman. Nor do we know of 
any who has attained prominence since the Madero outbreak who 
is entitled to such designation. 



62 OUR MEXICAN MUDDLE 

It is possible that some honorable men are — or were — associ- 
ated with the revolutionists, but they are obscure and unknown to 
fame — for only the crafty, the cruel, and the bloodlusty can at- 
tain prominence in Mexican military circles. 

And this statement applies to each and every faction Mexico 
has ever known. What Americans call true courage, generosity, 
honor and loyalty, is unknown among the class that make military 
history in Mexico — as has been proven time and time again, and 
as indicated by the actions of those military individuals whose 
names are familiar to Americans. 

Nevertheless we can not — governmentally speaking — criticize 
the creatures who represent the military classes of Mexico too 
severely, for we scarcely appear to greater advantage so far as our 
dealings with them are concerned, for we have — governmentally 
speaking — acted most shamefully and with a degree of timidity 
that has earned for us the full contempt of the very class we pre- 
sume to criticize. 

Indeed our actions, or our attitude towards the bandits of 
Mexico have been such, and may continue to be the same, that it 
is no wonder that the wards of this government call all Americans 
cowards. 

We must remember that the peons of Mexico know nothing 
whatever of the conquest of 1847, hence they gauge their opinion 
only by what they do know, and they must feel confident, judging 
Americans by the rule of inaction, that we are a nation of cowards, 
for they exclaim: "Los Americanos en todas el cobardos." — *'A11 
Americans are cowards.** 

And who is responsible for this sentiment? Who aided in 
creating such impression? Who gave the murderers of Mexico 
the idea that our countrymen could be slain, brutalized, robbed, 
and our women and children outraged, and go unpunished? 

The answer is not difficult to make: We know that political 
Washington persistently refused to protect the lives and property 
of our nationals, and such being the case, why is it difficult to place 
the blame? 



OVB MEXICAN MUDDLE 63 

REVOLUTION CONTINUED 

Santa Ana was banished in 1848. Then Herrera was made 
president. Matters went from bad to worse, which resulted in 
Santa Ana's recall. By 1853 this somewhat unusual Mexican all 
but became ''King*' of Mexico. Had it not been for the affair 
called the ** Gadsden Purchase'' he might have attained his object. 
This deal was so broadly a game of graft, likewise very offensive 
to Mexicans, that the crafty old hypocrite was banished forever. 

Juan Alveraz led the last revolt against Santa Ana. But 
Herrera managed to again secure the presidency. In turn he was 
ousted by General Comonfort. Then there was Alaman and Bonita 
Juarez. The latter was a full-blood Aztec, but endowed with a 
superior mentality, such as certain prominent Chinamen possess. 

While many refer to Juarez as being the greatest patriot ever 
produced in Mexico, yet it is a fact that his quality of patriotism 
did not differ in the least from all the others. As soon as his per- 
sonal ambitions, or property was involved, he rebelled. 

Juarez was a candidate for the presidency against Zuloaga. 
He was defeated. Hence he started a rebellion. In time he re- 
belled again. Later on Diaz and others rebelled against Juarez. 
Endlessly the merry game has progressed. It continues to 
progress, and will progress, endlessly and aimlessly. 

Years ago there was some excuse for this government to stand 
aside. Yet it intruded in 1865, and eliminated the Empire. It 
mixed in again in 1914 and eliminated Huerta. But since 1910 
not one excuse can be found to absolve our politicians for not in- 
vading Mexico for the purpose of guaranteeing a stable govern- 
ment. 

But such practicable action has been peristently avoided. It 
has been made to appear that, while we have forfeited all claim 
to national honor, and have lost material prestige, and have 
earned the contempt of all men who honor country above self, we 
have, nevertheless established the fact that we possess a president 
who stands head and shoulders above all men as the supreme ad- 
vocate of peace and the conserver of the lives of American soldiers. 



64 OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 

Of course there are millions of Americans who do not indorse 
our present attitude, but they are mostly composed of a class that 
is not permitted to spring into print and assure the world that 
they are opposed to the Mexican policy — as imposed upon us by 
political Washin^on. 

We can hardly understand why Mr. Wilson should desire to 
be known as the great ''peace" president when he is also conscious 
of the fact (as must be the case) that Hell's Delight rages in 
Mexico, and will continue to rage in that ravished land, all be- 
cause we failed to act promptly and at a time when high heaven 
and all mankind demanded action of us. 

MADERO— MAXIMILIAN—HUERTA. 

While the United States was engaged in civil strife, Napoleon 
III formulated and put in effect his scheme to establish an empire 
in Mexico. 

In 1863 a force of French soldiers was sent to Mexico under 
command of General Lorenz. He was defeated at Cerro Gordo. 
In turn Lorenz was followed by Marshall Bazaine, who was de- 
feated by the Germans at Sedan in 1881. Bazaine commanded 
12,000 soldiers and with this force overran all Mexico. The history 
of the exploits of the French in Mexico should be all sufficient to 
convince Americans that it is an easy matter to dispose of all the 
armies Mexico can ever organize. 

In October, 1863, Maximilian was declared Emperor and was 
practically undisturbed until the summer of 1865, when our gov- 
ernment, having defeated the Confederacy ** invited" the French 
to withdraw from Mexico. 

The ''invitation" was speedily accepted and Maximilian left 
to his fate, for he foolishly believed he could put down any open 
revolt. 

Our action again restored Mexico to the Mexicans and in- 
sured a continuance of blood-lust. 

The execution of Maximilian, who was recognized as, the ** gov- 
ernment" of Mexico by European powers, was far more infamous 



OUR MEXICAN MUDDLE 65 

than was the ^'removal" of Madero. Had Huerta and his as- 
sociates devised a plan whereby Madero could have been put to 
death as by the decree of court-martial, then would his ' ' removal ' ' 
have been accomplished as per precedent, for Madero was no more 
president than Maximilian was emperor, nor was Juarez more en- 
titled to recognition as president, succeeding the execution of 
Maximilian, than Huerta, had the latter caused Madero to be 
executed. 

On the one hand Madero was murdered, or so Mr. Wilson 
opined, and Maximilian was executed. In either case both men 
were executed or both were murdered, for there is no real dif- 
ference in Mexico. The difference exists in the mind of Mri 
Wilson. 

Of course, it is an easy matter to so word the difference, or 
the relationship of one to the other, or of the assumed difference, 
that the ordinary mind, particularly one that accepts political 
precept as gospel truth, is misled to believe that a real difference 
does exist, when, in fact, there is none. 

There was this difference — Juarez and his followers had been 
fighting Maximilian and Miramon for some years. On the other 
hand, Orozco was in rebellion against Madero. Matters revolu- 
tionary had not taken form at the capitol. Suddenly the flame 
of revolt broke out. Madero was merely killed before he was tried, 
condemned and executed. In 1865 this ** Government ' ^ desired to 
eliminate Maximilian, but it had not requested Maximilian to 
abdicate. 

In 1912-13 this government did not know what it wanted so 
far as Madero was concerned. But when he was killed, Mr. Wilson 
thought he was right in refusing to recognize Huerta. That 
Madero was killed after the manner usually employed by Mexican 
politicians did not count. 

The truth is, Mr. Wilson was not well informed concerning 
Mexican history, traditions, habits, characteristics, or the Mexican 
point of view, which means everything in Mexico. For this reason 
he made a serious mistake in posing as the champion of the '' rebel' ' 
of Mexico. 



66 ' OVB MEXICAN MUDDLE 

Rebellion; revolution; murder; ** executions " ; mysterious 
disappearances; political prisoners; exile; *' Hell's Delight" such 
has raged unceasingly in Mexico for over one hundred years. 

Can any explanation differing from this be found, and be 
true? 

Juarez was in rebellion. Zuloaga was in rebellion. Comonfort 
was in rebellion. Miramon was in rebellion. Herrera was in rebel- 
lion. Colima was in rebellion. De Callado was in rebellion. 
Jiminez was in rebellion. The empire started and there was more 
rebellion. Diaz was in rebellion. Spain forced Mexico to bend the 
neck. England did likewise. France sent over a fleet and smashed 
Vera Cruz. Parades was in rebellion. Gonzales was in rebellion. 
Finally, in 1884, Diaz became supreme and held fast for more than 
twenty years. 

In God's name does this government, or any man who holds 
high executive office, propose to have us endure such endless strife 
at our very doors forever ? 



MORE REVOLUTION 

But let us not be deluded into believing that Maximilian waged 
a humane war; on the contrary, every Mexican in arms was de- 
clared to be a bandit — and he was executed without trial. This 
process of extermination progressed uninterrupted for three years. 
Nevertheless, rebellion survived and thrived upon such diet, and 
Mexico may never hope to correct her own faults and abuses by the 
application of methods Mexican — it is utterly impossible. 

On June 19th, 1867, Maximilian and the two Mexican generals, 
Miramon and Mejia, who were faithful to the end, were "executed" 
by Juarez. From 1868 until 1872, Juarez was recognized as presi- 
dent. In 1872, Lerdo de Tejada became the chief executive. 

In 1873, nearly fifty years after railroads were in operation 
in Europe and the United States, the first rail line was opened in 
Mexico. In some respects Mexico is still 2,000 years behind the 
times. 



OUR MEXICAN MUDDLE 67 

And mind you, O Americans, Mexico is our nextdoor neighbor. 
Are we modern Cains that we dare say that the conduct of our 
neighbors does not concern us, and that it does not devolve upon us 
to check and eradicate savagery in Mexico ? 

If it does not devolve upon us — if it is not our duty to do so, 
then whom shall we charge with the obligation ? Have the Mexicans 
proven at any time that they are capable of establishing law and 
order ? 

Coming nearer home : Does anyone believe that Canada would 
permit such conditions to exist upon her borders, or permit bands 
of semi-savages to murder Canadians? 

Yet it seems to be Mr. Wilson's desire to transform or trans- 
pose Americans into a mass of meek humanitarians ; into creatures 
utterly incapable of defending themselves and resenting attack 
upon national dignity and honor, or we may so infer from what 
Mr. Wilson has said on the subject. Did he really mean that we 
should submit to every insult and let the Mexicans spit in our faces 
and kick our sacred persons? Are Mexicans to be permitted to 
murder us, to rob us, to rape our women, to revile us, to visit all 
manner of mentionable and unmentionable indignities upon us? 
How would Mr. Wilson like a dose of the gall which Mexicans have 
inflicted on unprotected Americans? We may be sure that Mr. 
Wilson's ''passion" would assume quite a different aspect, were 
the dose applied to him. 

Indeed, at what time prior to the Columbus massacre, did the 
president utter a word calculated to remedy such evils? Is it not 
a fact that, instead of decreasing disorder and savagery, we largely 
contributed to its increase — that is, political Washington permitted 
such to rage unchecked? 

Surely the conditions which have existed ever since Madero 
left his hacienda to go on the warpath must convince every rational 
person that it is a fact that no Mexican can ever duplicate the de- 
sirable conditions which existed in Mexico when Diaz was presi- 
dent, or that any Mexican can ever give the people a greater de- 
gree of real liberty than Diaz gave them. Surely we must perceive 
that this is true, and that conditions differing from those which 



68 



OVR MEXICAN MUDDLE 



disturb all Mexico, at this time, and which have caused us so much 
worry, can never be changed under any form of government, 
headed by a Mexican, or any number of Mexicans. 

Naturally certain American politicians realize that the publi- 
cation of facts such as stated is certain to injure their standing, 
and that such is particularly harmful to potential Democrats who 
desire to retain the confidence of the voters, especially those seek- 
ing re-election to high federal office. But the truth will out and 
the public shall no longer be deluded by fanciful sentiment and 
perverted facts. 

Horrible indeed have been the real conditions. Every ennobling 
attribute has been outraged. A fair and smiling land laid waste — 
desolated — hearts torn in grief. Blood-lusty coyotes like Villa 
Lave been exalted to the skies, aye, even patronized by the elect 
and the effete of Washington. 



I 



CHAPTER IX 

CONCERNING EXECUTION— MURDER FOR FUN 

At no time during all these years of revolution was the peon 
considered. There were those who used him as a basis for bom- 
bast, just as Madero, or Carranza, or Villa, have used him as a 
cover to mask their real intentions. 

But then, as now, the peon was the sacrifice. Nor did the 
VOICE of the humanitarian save them in any manner. On the 
contrary such gentle voices only make his condition worse. 

Mr. "Wilson and his political confreres, the platform of the 
Democratic party — all concurred in the opinion that the Mexicans 
be permitted to evolve their own salvation. To settle differences 
and revolutions in their own way, as though this were possible at 
any time. 

And the docile element, the business men, the fourteen mil- 
lion eight hundred thousand Mexicans, they would like to settle 
the muddle. They would like to restore conditions as they were 
when Diaz was in power. But they dare not say their lives are 
their own. No man may utter a word, or indulge in an act con- 
trary to the designs of the armed bandits who hold them in abject 
terror. 

So fourteen million eight hundred thousand helpless, cowardly, 
but useful Mexicans, are only creeping dots upon the face of the 
earth. 

And Carranza, and Zapata, and Villa, and others of like, kind, 
keep them so. 

NOTABLE FACTS. 

And here intrudes a statement that it were well for imagina- 
tive Americans to consider. "Well for our so-called statesmen to 
study, and for our war department and army heads to think about 

69 



70 OUR MEXICAN MUDDLE 

— this fact, viz. ; that as England easily governs and has governed 
the countless millions of India — and could as easily govern all 
China — so too, just as easily can the United States govern Mexico. 

Any one at all familiar with the true history of China, that 
is so far as obtainable by Occidental historians, well know that the 
Chinese people, Mongolians in fact, are not capable of self-gov- 
ernment and that the great Empire, which was recently shattered 
by revolution, was sustained and maintained only through the 
medium of blood sacrifice. Day and night for centuries savagery 
and barbarity abounded and continues to be a feature of Chinese 
life. 

While the outside world little knows — just as it knows little 
of Mexico — revolution has been almost a constant feature, ever 
existent in China. No less than three hundred thousand so-called 
Chinese bandits and pirates were beheaded during the last thirty 
years, or ten thousand a year. Nor is this an exaggeration, for 
aside from those slain in battle and rebellion during recent years, 
ten thousand were beheaded — under the classification of bandit or 
pirate rather than that of revolutionist or patriot. Wherefore 
then is it difficult to make invidious comparison with the Mexican, 
a distant relation of the Chinaman ? Why not understand why the 
Mexican people never can establish a civilized and dependable 
government ? 

Throughout this history frequent reference to acts of savagery 
by Mexicans is made. Such cannot be avoided, nor does your his- 
torian seek to avoid the subject. It is necessary that we know the 
facts. It is necessary that persons constituting the government, 
or connected with it, know the facts; though one may aver that 
political Washington will not relish our method of cramming the 
truth down the (sic) exclusive — but ever-resisting throats of its 
unreceptive votaries. 

So we refer to what, by courtesy, is called an execution in 
Mexico — Guerrero was "executed'*; Iturbide was *' executed' '; 
Maximilian was "executed"; Madero was also "executed". Ten 
thousand times ten thousand nameless Mexicans have been "exe- 
cuted" since the day Iturbide was hailed as "Emperor.' 



) i 



OUR MEXICAN MUDDLE 71 

Every military potential Mexico has ever known had a retinue 
of ** executioners". Madero had his and also he was his own execu- 
tioner on occasion, for by his own hand he killed some of those who 
opposed his rule of ruin and folly. 

Rudolf Fierro and Faustro Borunda were Villa's chief execu- 
tioners. The bandit had others, but above all Fierro shone re- 
splendent. In the end Villa had to kill all of them. They had 
ceased to fear the bandit prince and ceased also to amiably submit 
to his erratic changes of disposition. But they were mere crude 
first hand butchers. Villa was not only a butcher, but he was also 
a crafty, cowardly one. He was first in detecting the designs of 
the others and did not hesitate to kill them. 

If a Mexican be courageous, he must perish. Bravery saves 
them not, for your peon-bandit-patriot does not want brave men in 
his ranks — not unless they be ignorant and willing to die for the 
*' cause''. 

Cowards must also perish, for however cowardly and brutal the 
leaders, by the same token, they despise a poltroon. 

Nevertheless, the ** executions " serve only to decimate. They 
never change the course of events. 

The act itself is damnable. Those concerned are blood-lusty 
cowards and barbarous savages ; nor do they put fear into the hearts 
of others, for however frequent be the killings, new victims are ever 
ready for the sacrifice. If volunteers are not at hand, the killers 
lack not in material. They force the unwilling to tread the path- 
way that leadeth to the brink of eternity — to die miserably for no 
crime whatsoever, their only offense being that they lived, but were 
so ignorant that they knew not which cause to favor, or which leader 
to follow. 

And has political Washington raised a decided voice in de- 
fense of these selfsame ''under dogs" who are thus slaughtered! 
Has political Washington vociferated its passion for the unfortunate 
human beings who appealed to it for protection ? No, brethren ! Its 
passion was so intense, and hypocrisy so pronounced, and crocodile 
tears so dense, that every reality was hidden — all save the fact that 
it watchfully waited. 



72 



OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 



Yet, unless we end these examples of horrible savagery at our 
very doors, the barbarities will continue forever — and we may 
well claim that political Washington shall escape responsibility. 

Who, in reality, is responsible for such barbarity at our very 
portals ? Shall we lay the blame upon unthinking and unreasoning 
Mexicans, or upon the one power which permitted certain Mexican 
leaders to do these awful things ? Is it difficult to place the blame 
where it belongs? 

Are we consistent in trying to transfer the burden of responsi- 
bility from where it belongs and place same upon the shoulders 
of ignorant, semi-savages? And is it to be said of the American 
people that we permitted political Washington to lull us to sleep 
with lyre-like melodies — melodies that no man may warble unless 
he hath a great passion for humanity? 



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SECTION II 

RELIGION — MADERO THE TRICKSTER 
—AMBASSADOR WILSON 



Ill 



CHAPTER X 

EELIGIOUS COMPLICATIONS— HOW THE CATHOLIC 

CLERGY ARE PERSECUTED AND RELIGIOUS 

LIBERTY DENIED ALL SECTS 

The year 1873 was momentous because of the fact that Mexico 
celebrated the opening of its first railroad. But the year date will 
remain fixed in the memory of men as a period to be associated 
with similar periods of the world's history, when men's souls were 
riven and taxed beyond endurance. 

France had its St. Bartholomew (1572) and a great revolu- 
tion (1793) and England had religious wars, also of a remote date, 
but it remained for Mexico to turn back the hands of time not only 
in 1873, but also in 1915. 

We refer to the fact that the year 1873 was momentous in the 
history of Mexico, for that year was h period made infamous by its 
military masters. In 1873 Juarez and his companions deprived the 
Catholic Church of all of its possessions. He unfrocked the priests ; 
he forced the various religious orders, whether composed of men or 
women, to cast off their holy habiliments. The Church and the 
religious were prostrated completely. 

The great monuments erected to God — the vast temples in 
which the people worshiped — the famous shrines, the altars, the 
magnificent cathedrals — these were desecrated in a thousand ways. 
The blessed Sacrament was defiled, and the ostensorium if made 
of precious metals, was smelted, so that those possessed with impi- 
ous hands might convert the silver or gold into specie — ill-gotten 
wealth soon spent. Religious liberty was a mockery — in fact, Mex- 
ico never has granted such privilege. 

Yet, as bread cast upon troubled waters, or as a gift to those 
who remember a kindness for all lifetime, the action of Juarez 
and his counselors shall prove a petard, and their act of folly and of 

75 



76 OVB MEXICAN MUDDLE 

infamy shall bring about the very thing they themselves desired, 
but knew not how to accomplish — the moral, ethical and spiritual 
regeneration of Mexico. 

Juarez thought that the Church could not do this, nor may 
any church implanted by a Spanish speaking people bring about 
such result. On the other hand, Juarez also desired the wealth 
which the Church had accumulated during three centuries. Avar- 
ice moved the man. 

Again Juarez believed that, with the Church influence out of 
the way, that the so-called progressives of Mexico could dominate 
the people and cause them to adhere to the party of Juarez and 
compare favorably with the peoples of enlightened and civilized 
countries. But Juarez, like every Mexican, was only dreaming — 
dreaming as Mexicans dream, when not engaged in the delightful 
pastime of slitting throats or shooting helpless men at sunrise. 

Then, too, Juarez conceived the idea that the Catholic clergy 
were mainly responsible for all resistance to the ambitions of the 
disturbers of Mexico. It is the invariable habit of every liberator 
(?) patriot of Mexico to ascribe the evils which befall the country 
to the fault of others, always forgetting their own. This was a 
peculiarity of the Madero outfit. 

Now it is a fact that were the peons of Mexico not held in 
check by the influence of the padres, the whole country would be 
a howling wilderness. The lower social orders would be typical 
wildmen, ferocious, merciless, and barbarous. The padres keep 
the mass of the people on the right path. They prevent them from 
reverting to a state of savagery. 

Anglo-Saxon Catholics, such as American, English, German, 
Irish, and even French Catholics, are not deeply conscious of be- 
ing in a temple dedicated to the worship of Deity when attending 
services in churches located in Mexico. This is because of a vast 
and apparent difference when compared with the inspiring serv- 
ices held in Catholic churches in the United States, Canada, Eng- 
land and Germany. 

We of America are accustomed to the perfect Catholic serv- 
ice ; to the splendid eloquence of the clergy ; the wonderful choirs ; 



OVR MEXICAN MUDDLE 77 

the impressive ceremonies, and we feel a deep sense of being within 
the sanctuary, of breathing an air made holy by the very presence 
of Deity. 

All this seems to be absent in the churches of Mexico. Yet 
the human devils who prostitute public morals, who murder, out- 
rage, starve the helpless, corrupt the innocent, burn and pillage — 
such creatures lay the burden of blame upon the Church — the 
Church they desecrate and deny, for churchmen are easy victims, 
and the elect of Satan always select those who live consecrated 
lives. 

Nevertheless, although laboring under vast difficulties, hedged 
in by every restrictive law which demon minds were capable of de- 
vising, the Catholic clergy of Mexico have struggled on, con- 
scientiously striving to keep their wards within the embrace of 
the Great Spirit. In no case can their infamous detractors dis- 
cover evidence to sustain the charge that they were guilty of 
treason, or recreant, or apostate. 

In the old days of Spanish sovereignty, such accusations could 
well apply, for accursed was the touch of Spain and of Spanish 
domination. Wherever they trod, evil fell upon the land. This was 
particularly true of Spanish influences in Porto Rico and in the 
Philippines. 

REASON— RELIGION—REBELLION 

If a Mexican is a so-called logical being, a man presumed to 
be capable of reasoning and of analyzing, he is rather inclined to 
side-track religion. He often becomes an agnostic. He believes 
there is a Supreme Being, but no man may know who, or what 
manner of Supreme Being — or the Supreme Name. 

This type of Mexican is scarcely ever a revolutionist, for your 
Mexican revolutionist is never logical, consistent or rational, and 
this type of Mexican scarcely ever becomes a Mexican Catholic. 
Such men, would, however, recognize the intellectual attainments 
of American Catholics, for there is a vast difference between the 
priests of Mexico and those of the United States. 



78 OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 

On the other hand, the so-called Protestant missionaries never 
have and never will reach or appeal to the average Mexican, and 
they work at a vast disadvantage. 

Protestant Churches have spent millions of dollars in Mexico, 
without making much progress, and your historian, a Protestant, if 
anything, makes this statement based on personal knowledge. 

It is true that one may find Mexicans in Mexico who claim 
to be Protestants, but they are not Protestants by any method 
known to the cult. 

On the other hand Protestant denominations will be able to 
work to good advantage as soon as the United States succeeds in 
establishing normal conditions in Mexico and in position to guar- 
antee full protection to life and property, and the same degree of 
civil and religious liberty which exists in this country. It should 
be the purpose of every protestant to bring this about, otherwise 
Mexico will be the same as ' ' Darkest Africa. ' ' 

HIDALGO AND MORELOS 

Two Mexican priests, Hidalgo and Morelos, both of Indian 
blood, were the first self-sacrificing patriots. Had these padres 
remained loyal to the Spanish bishops it is more than likely that 
Spain would have held possession of Mexico until recent years. 

Millions of Mexicans revere the name of Hidalgo, yet they 
permitted revolutionary Juarez to depose the priests and they 
permitted butcher Villa and other revolutionists to outrage and 
torture the inoffensive padres of our day. Carranza is a high-caste 
Mexican, yet he persecutes the padres in order to obtain funds. 

One may reasonably wonder whether Hidalgo and Morelos 
would have sought the independence of Mexico had they dreamed 
that bloodshed and savagery would be the rule for nearly a century, 
for one cannot vsrite the history of Mexico save with pen dipped in 
blood, nor may one predict what the future holds in store — that 
is, for Mexico and Mexicans, unless one claims that the future 
shall be as the past — bloodshed and violence always. 

Bloodshed — blood and more blood, always. 



OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 79 

MISTAKEN AMERICANS 

It is necessary to defend the religious of Mexico and to refer 
to the subject of religion in this work, for we are now consider- 
ing why Mexico is revolutionary. Some Americans think it is the 
fault of the Church. Every revolutionist attacks the Catholic 
clergy, it matters not who the leaders be, and they charge to the 
Church many evils as the basis for new outbreaks, as well as al- 
leging that rebellion is intended to depose a dictator, or right the 
wrongs of the peon. 

Invariably, as stated, the revolutionaries point to the padres — • 
**They are to blame '^ Invariably the misinformed of other coun- 
tries are prone to accuse the religious order. Many Americans 
believe that the padres are largely responsible for the prevalence 
of revolution. 

**It is a religious issue, '^ they say, and as in many matters, 
densely ignorant of the real facts, they easily turn to the religious 
factors and as easily blame men who are utterly blameless. 

That the Catholic clergy of Mexico favored Maximilian in 
1863, was both reasonable and true. For years the Church had 
been the central target of attack and vilification. Maximilian 
seemed to offer substantial refuge from the impositions of the blood- 
lusty. And such was the fact, and bloodshed had ceased, until the 
United States interfered in 1865, and we forced the French army 
to vacate. Then "Hell's Delight'' was renewed. The church was 
the principal victim. 

WILSON, VILLA, AND THE PADRES 

There are millions of Mexicans who respect and sustain the 
priests. Thousands responded with ransom when butcher Villa 
threatened to murder the padres who fell into his clutches. The 
"pet" bandit could not compel the people to disgorge hidden 
treasure by direct threats; that is, by threatening them as indi- 
viduals; they stood firm, but when the padres were in jeopardy, 
they responded. 

One of Villa's favorite methods of extracting funds from the 



80 OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 

unwilling — one method of filling his own coffers and paying his 
soldiers — was to arrest the padres and accuse them of conspiring 
against him, then give them the opportunity of purchasing their 
freedom. This was accomplished through the devotion of parish- 
ioners. 

And speaking of political Washington ; what do the Catholics 
of the United States think of a government that selected as its 
special ward one Villa, the bandit; Villa, the torturer of inof- 
fensive priests ; Villa, who gave his wolves the privilege of desecrat- 
ing the persons of holy nuns and other holy women ? 

What do the Catholics of the United States think of a gov- 
ernment which preferred Villa and his wolves to Huerta, the 
protector of the faithful? In what manner did this government 
benefit Mexico by eliminating Huerta ? What, indeed, is the opinion 
of American Catholics concerning such a government? 

Also, can we prove that the president was wholly consistent 
when he espoused the cause, or purposes of Villa and his ''under 
dogs"? If the president was enthusiastically in favor of Villa's 
under dogs, was he also enthusiastically in favor of indorsing their 
methods and actions? Did his "passion" contemplate the possi- 
bility of the torture of priests and the outrage of women dedicated 
to chaste and holy lives? 

Will some kind soul define Mr. Wilson *s brand of liberty, as 
applied to Mexicans, and compare the same with the ideas or con- 
ceptions held by the creatures Mr. Wilson referred to — that is, 
the class which he designated by the words — *' never had a look-in" ? 

As Mr. Wilson was eloquently defending the wolves opposed 
to Huerta, and referred to them as ''under dogs" and as those 
who "never had a look-in", and as the selfsame wolves were Villa's 
underlings, what is the answer ? Was Mr. Wilson 's intellect clouded 
by "passion" and enthusiasm, or, to be exact — did he know what 
he was talking about? 

Let us hope, however, that he is less passionate and enthusi- 
astically sympathetic, now that he perceives — or we hope he per- 
ceives — that his wardlings are brutal savages who delight in blood- 
lust. 



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CHAPTER XI 

MEXICO CAN ONLY BE REDEEMED BY ANGLO SAXONS 

Mexico under the rule of men like Carranza is certain to de- 
generate, nor may any Mexican accomplish the redemption and re- 
generation of Mexico, nor may the Spanish speaking padres make 
any headway. They never have and they never will. Little by 
little they have been compelled to step down, and little by little 
they have been deprived of privilege. 

American Catholics make a vast mistake if they imagine that 
there is any possibility of increasing Catholic prestige in Mexico 
under a purely Mexican government. This is impossible. So the 
Catholics of the United States will do well to face the real issue and 
consider well the facts. 

But the form of Christian religion which appeals to the mind 
of a Mexican is Catholicism, therefore the real religious issue : 
shall we help Christianize Mexico through the medium of Amer- 
ican Catholics? The peon class is certain to be Catholic if any- 
thing. 

This can be done by American Catholic ecclesiastics under the 
protection of the United States — that is, by American priests who 
shall gradually train the Mexican padres, as was done in Porto 
Rico and in the Philippines. 

We accomplished wonders in Porto Rico and in the Philip- 
pines. With a degree of wisdom almost godlike, William McKin- 
ley, himself a devout Protestant, put all church matters relating to 
Catholics in Porto Rico and in the Philippines under the domin- 
ance of American Catholic Bishops. 

As a result, the sleepy and indifferent padres were compelled 
to awake and work. Old methods gave way to new, and the poor, 
the lame and the halt received attention and Christian-like con- 
sideration. 

81 



82 OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 

American Catholics believe in progress. They believe in liv- 
ing equally as well as progressive non-Catholics. They believe in 
proper conduct. They deem it necessary to observe the common 
decencies, to be cleanly and sanitary. They are opposed to dog- 
like habits. They do not believe that human beings should be as 
low as a pig or a dog, so far as relates to personal habits. With 
a Mexican this is a matter of little concern. 

The Mexican of the better class conducts himself in much the 
same manner as any refined person, but his interest in such mat- 
ters does not extend beyond his family and his class. The com- 
mon herd may remain as animals until Hades congeals so far as he 
is concerned. So, too, so far as Mexican padres are concerned. 

In 1898 we discovered this to be the case in Cuba, in Porto 
Rico and in the Philippines. Cuba still clings to her old disgusting 
habits, which is due to the fact that we are not wholly dominant 
in Cuba. 

When we decided to really put an end to incessant revolution 
in Haiti — Santo Domingo — we soon discovered that the habits of 
the negroid inhabitants was worse than hogs in a pig pen, and we 
wondered why the negroes of Haiti are like dogs while the blacks 
of English Jamaica live clean and decent lives. 

The difference lies in the curse communicated by the Spaniard, 
as contrasted with the excellent exalted life of the Anglo-Saxon — 
your modem Englishman, American, Irishman and German. 

MODERN MEXICANS FILTHY AND DEGENERATE 

Your Mexican of the lower class, that is, 13,000,000 of him, is 
filthy and debased in the extreme. It is impossible to describe him 
in this particular. He is what he is because Spanish masters made 
him so. He can be no better than the worst his masters compelled 
of him. He bears the curse of Spain. 

On the other hand, his habits and manners would be perfect, 
or equally as good as our own farmer class, or our laboring class, 
were he subject to proper instruction and influences. Hence the 
question. Are we doing right in permitting him to remain the human 
dog he is ? 



OUR MEXICAN MUDDLE 83 

In 1846-1847 the Mexicans believed they could keep ns out by 
spreading yellow fever among our troops. They believed that the 
Americans would so dread the deadly **vomito" that they would 
not invade the country. Indeed, the Mexicans have relied upon 
contagious diseases to protect them for more than a hundred years. 
They purposely spread small-pox, t>i)hoid, and the deadly yellow 
fever among their enemies. And why? Because they live the low- 
life— they are as subject to these diseases as a hog is to cholera, and 
disease is acquired by hog-like habits. 

Shall we, therefore, permit this menace to be ever existent, 
ever threatening our physical welfare? 

PARADISE 

Mexico is a healthy country. It compares favorably with Cali- 
fornia in this respect. It is also a land of mysticism. It is a land 
of physical mysteries, and of the working of strange phenomena— 
where the people are easily influenced in the direction of religion. 

In far-off Chaldea religions sprang into existence. Chaldea was 
—as it remains— a land of wonderful contrasts, vast plains, deserts, 
towering mountains — of wonderful mirages — of visions of heavenly 
cities. And all this also applies to Mexico. 

It is related that Eden was the garden of delight, an earthly 
paradise selected by the Creator as the one spot of all places on 
earth for his chosen people to live and know life. And Mexico 
offers the charms ascribed to Eden, for Mexico was intended by the 
Creator to be an earthly paradise. 

In Mexico millions of semi-savages over-run the land. Mexico 
is as a w^orld set far apart from our universe. It is both barren and 
fruitful — the sun shines — flowers bloom wondrously. Men are 
good and men are blood-lusty. They delight to rob, to ravish, and 
to kill. 

But this indictment is not deserved by the mass of the peo- 
ple of Mexico. Why? Because it is a fact that only one percent 
of the total population of Mexico is given to blood-lust and revo- 
lution. 



84 OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 

The remaining ninety-nine percent are a docile and agrarian 
people. They are submissive; they are lamb-like; they love life 
and peace, but they are without initiative ; they lack in action and 
in courage; they dare not attempt to interfere with the armed 
bandits who overrun and destroy the country. 

Probably Mr. Wilson had this class in mind when he said : * ' But 
my passion is for the submerged eighty-five percent of the people/' 

But Mr. Wilson made the grievous mistake of believing that 
the revolutionists represented this class — those who are meek and 
lowly. Mr. Wilson continued to adhere to the conviction that the 
blood-lusty were to liberate this class. From all appearances he 
continued to believe that his dear bandits were to release this class 
from bondage ( ?) though we very much doubt that Mr. Wilson 
knows anything whatsoever concerning "bondage," or social con- 
ditions in Mexico. 

We have finally discovered that Mr. Wilson is, at least upon 
occasion, a man of apparent determination, and one who resents at- 
tempt to change his views or purposes. It is, therefore, likely 
that he is perfectly sincere so far as relates to Mexican matters 
and has failed to accomplish desired results simply because he was 
misled and misinformed in the beginning, hence followed the wrong 
course, and, being a man of determination, (which is also a word 
to be used as meaning obstinate) he has steadfastly refused to admit 
that he has made mistakes. 

Now the common citizen would not be held blameless in such 
event. He would be compelled by public opinion to bear his fair 
share of responsibility for the consequences resulting from lack of 
wisdom, perception, or for folly and error. Shall we then make 
exception because the person in error happens to be the president 
of these United States? 

If Mr. Wilson failed to reduce anarchy and savagery in Mexico 
he cannot lay the blame on those he refused to see, or permit to ad- 
vise him regarding the proper and practical course to follow. Nor 
can it be denied that it appears to be a fact that his accepted ad- 
visers were valueless, for the evils of Mexico have increased ten- 
fold. 



CHAPTER Xn 

THE JEW IN MEXICO— JUSTICE BRANDEIS CANNOT 

SERVE THE COMMISSION 

The following announcement emanated from Washington for 
the purpose of explaining why Justice Brandeis could not serve 
on the joint commission designed to solve the Mexican difficulty: 

** Washington, D. C, Aug. 14, 1916. — Associate Justice Louis 
D. Brandeis of the Supreme Court informed President Wilson 
tonight that because of the mass of business before the court he 
would be unable to accept the president's designation to serve on 
the joint commission which will attempt to solve the difficulties 
between the United States and Mexico. '^ 

Now it is possible that there is something deeper and probably 
of sinister import, involved in this relation. Those Americans, 
and particularly American Jews, who are not acquainted with 
Mexico and Mexican characteristics, are not aware of the fact that 
the Jew is not popular in Mexico. He is not wanted there. In 
fact, the bigoted antipathy of the Spaniard, as applied to all Jews, 
is reflected in every Latin- American, hence the Jew, (who is per- 
mitted to exist and carry on business in every country inhabited 
by people who do not speak Spanish), is practically prevented from 
entering and locating in Mexico. 

Therefore, it is possible, that certain Latin- Americans have 
indicated that, while they have no objection to the selection of a 
Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States as a member 
of the commission designed to settle the Mexican difficulty, (which 
we predict in advance will not be permanently settled by any com- 
mission) nevertheless the Spanish speaking members of the com- 
mission prefer that such selection shall not include any man who is 
of the Hebrew race. 

This is merely a suggestion — mere presumption — based on the 

85 



86 OUB MEXICAN MUDDLE 

fact that all Mexicans are opposed to Jews and prefer not to come 
in contact with them. If the Jew was welcome in Mexico we may be 
sure that thousands of the race would be engaged in business 
throughout that country. 

On the contrary, even when Diaz pretended to guarantee re- 
ligious and racial liberty in Mexico, all Jews found it very difficult 
to find lodgment there. 

The author recalls that there were two Jews carrying on busi- 
ness in Mexico City, but both had German names and passed as 
Germans. 

In Culiacan, which is a city of ten thousand population situated 
on the west coast, a Jew by the name of Cohen owned and oper- 
ated the leading hotel. He was known as a Jew but was popular, or 
appeared to be popular with all of the inhabitants. 

Aside from the probability that the Spanish speaking members 
of the Commission may have advanced diplomatic objection to the 
selection of Justice Brandeis, there remains the important fact that 
all Mexicans are unjustly antagonistic to aU Jews, and for this 
reason the members of Jewish race residing in the United States 
should be deeply interested in bringing about conditions that will 
assure all Jews the same degree of freedom to go and come in 
Mexico, as is accorded the race in these United States. 

In the United States, all Jews have equal opportunity to ad- 
vance and grow wealthy, as do the men of other races, and they 
are protected by our people, and they should also possess the same 
privileges when in Mexico. That is, when conditions are normal 
there. The Jewish citizens of the United States can be very aidful 
indeed in remedying the deplorable conditions which exist in Mex- 
ico, and in eradicating the foolish sentiment which causes the aver- 
age Mexican to resent the presence of a Jew, and his objection to 
have relations with them in any manner. 

It is very likely that the present administration in Washington 
is not aware that all Jews are objectionable to the Mexican people, 
and are objects of aversion, hence not wanted there. But political 
Washington is deficient in knowledge of many matters relating to 
Mexico and the Mexican people. 



CHAPTER Xni 

SOME FACTS CONCERNING FRANCISCO I. MADERO, ONE- 
TIME PRESIDENT OF MEXICO, AND REVELATIONS 
CONCERNING THIS GOVERNMENT 

Jose Ives Limantour, Minister of Finance under the great Diaz, 
whom he served no less than sixteen years, was, more than any man, 
largely responsible for the success of the Madero revolt. And here- 
by hangs the tale of the shame of Mexico, and likewise has much 
to do with the common error, or idea, which prevails among Ameri- 
cans to the effect that the various revolutions in Mexico were 
financed by Standard Oil, or other large corporations, backing, or 
desiring to secure control of vast Mexican properties. 

Limantour conceived the plan of merging all of the rail lines 
of Mexico. This idea was suggested to the Minister of Finance 
by none other than Harriman, the rail ** Wizard", although the 
latter desired to possess the rail systems of Mexico himself. Car- 
rying out this plan necessarily required the services of several 
prominent New York lawyers; one was an ex-Cabinet officer. The 
fees to the American lawyers were, in some cases, as high as 
$125,000. To one named Pablo Macedo, a Mexican advocate, was 
paid a fee of $150,000, gold. 

In this matter Limantour was guilty of his first act of graft. 
Always he had been free of this taint. But he could not resist 
the temptation to sequester millions so easily created — ^hence he 
entered into the plan of appropriating a block of mortgage bonds 
approximating $30,000,000, and in so doing gained the hatred of 
Diaz, who, when he discovered the action of his minister, threat- 
ened him with death. Limantour fled to the United States for pro- 
tection, and thence to France. 

87 



88 OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 

It is said that the ex-Minister of Finance, casting about for 
means of revenging himself upon Diaz, thus became an agent fav- 
orable to the cause espoused by Madero. But there is nothing 
definite to which one may refer in proof of such statement other 
than mere circumstantial evidence. 

Now there creeps in one admission — that, however much we 
are bound to extol Porfirio Diaz as a marvelous administrator — 
and he was just that — we must not lose sight of the fact that the 
dictator was over 80 years of age during the formative period of 
the Madero revolt and had grown incapable of perceiving the 
menace of the gathering of the clans, or, to be more exact, the 
peon class by Madero; a class wholly unreliable and easily in- 
fluenced — one which changes over-night. 

Diaz also relied on his associates, his aged counselors, and 
they, too, were incapable of perceiving the gathering storm; so 
at last the old commander was as a ship adrift. He was all at 
sea; the end was in sight — to those who see things. 

Now, much has "been said about the manner of financing the 
revolution. Few Americans know that, although the House of 
Madero was rich in lands, it was shy on cash. Yet it is a fact 
that, however rich in lands, never an acre has any Madero ever 
given to a peon. Never has a Madero displayed the least generosity ; 
not even to the families of the peons who were killed while foolishly 
following the '* Savior '^ of Mexico. 

Whence then came the money in the first instance? Gustavo i 
Madero could tell. He could tell how he misappropriated the sum 
of $375,000 advanced him by the Paris Branch of a Spanish bank- 
ing house — not for the purpose of financing a revolt against Diaz, 
for all investments as made in Mexico depended on the fact that 
Diaz was in power, but the money was advanced for the purpose 
of underwriting bonds on a railroad to be constructed across the 
State of Zacatecas. 

For this act of infamy, or plain theft, Gustavo Madero was re- 
garded as a criminal in Paris. In fact, when he was in the United 
States conspiring against his country, he ever expected to be ap- 
prehended by federal secret service men, and be deported to France. 



■1 



I 

4 



OUE MEXICAN MUDDLE 89 

But in those days it served a political clique in Washington to 
ignore the demands of justice. 

When Evaresto Madero, the grandfather of Francisco Madero, 
died (April 6th, 1911) at the age of 82, his property comprised no 
less than one million, seven hundred and twenty-eight thousand 
acres. Much of this land he had purchased for ten cents an acre. 
This old man did not approve of the movement started by his 
grandson. The old man had seen Mexico grow up, or emerge from 
the same terrible conditions that obtain at this time (1916), and 
was aware that all progress was accomplished under the guidance 
of the great Diaz. So he could not perceive wherein his visionary 
grandson was able to benefit Mexico or its people — a view which, 
in the light of all that has happened, was certainly rational and 
right as compared with the acts of the weakling who finally reduced 
Mexico to a state of disorder such as the aged head of the house 
had never known in other days. But Francisco, the "Blind" could 
not perceive these things. Hence he plunged his house and his 
country into a hell of desolation and bloodshed. 

It is true that Gustavo Madero offered Standard Oil certain 
bonds to the extent of five millions, but they were repudiated 
securities and Standard Oil did not bite ; in fact, the bonds were 
those issued in the time of "Patriot" Benito Juarez, by a gen- 
eral named Carbajal, and the scamps that had them printed also 
incorporated thereon an excellent portrait of George Washington — 
designed to carry weight with American investors. 

The Waters-Pierce Oil Company of St. Louis also refused to 
"donate" — that is, to buy the bonds, but with the knowledge that 
the money was to be used for revolutionary purposes. 

Not a dollar did the "Prince of Folly" secure for his enter- 
prise, other than the $375,000 which was "borrowed" from French 
bankers, but intended for the railway scheme already referred to. 

Of this money Gustavo Madero spent $55,000 for American 
arms, and paid $50,000 to a Washington lawyer possessed with 
a maw for fat fees, also with an elastic conscience. That the 
money was stolen, or any part of it was bathed in human blood, 
was of little consequence to either Madero or the lawyer. 



90 OVU MEXICAN MUDDLE 

When Ives Limantour came into the game, Gustavo, the em- 
bezzler, had just $1,200 to his credit. The remainder had been dis- 
sipated in various ways for the double purpose of making little 
Francisco president and in wrecking Mexico. 

As soon as Diaz departed hastily for France, Senor De la 
Barra, who had been Mexican Ambassador to the United States, 
became president ad interim. He was the particular selection of 
Limantour, but it appears that the masterful Minister of Finance 
had in view the early occupation of the presidential chair bjj 
Madero, for in a short time, namely, October 1st, 1911, Madero wag 
"elected" to such high office. The presidency was held by him 
until February 19, 1912, when he was arrested by General Blan- 
quett. Then Victoriano Huerta was proclaimed provisional presi- 
dent. 

In four brief months Madero displayed all of the faults of a 
weakling, and he met the fate that weaklings are always destined 
to meet when a country is disturbed by violent men. He created 
the conditions and the very elements which destroyed him. He 
became president by the sword and by the sword met death — 
which may be said, is practically the fate of every Mexican who 
has borne the title of president. They met with violent death, or 
they were exiled, or drifted into obscurity. 

No Mexican executive since the day Iturbide was proclaimed 
Emperor has ever profited, or w^as of value to Mexico, save Porfirio 
Diaz. All of them, even Diaz, won the dubious and evanescent title 
of President only by shedding human blood, and by deceit and 
brutality — and by the same method they were deposed. And so it 
shall be forever and forever, as long as Mexico is Mexico and gov- 
erned by a Mexican, or by many Mexicans. 

Shortly after De la Barra became president, the so-called Mexi- 
can Congress appropriated 700,000 pesos, or $375,000, as a refund- 
ing sum to, and for Gustavo Madero, in order to cover the "ad- 
vances" made by that worthy patriot and likewise enable him to 
return the amount embezzled in 1910, as has been stated. 

This matter soon became public and as quickly convinced the 
people that the Maderos were grafters. It was of no consequence 



OTJE MEXICAN MUDDLE 91 

that Gustavo had stolen $375,000 and had used the amount for 
revolutionary purposes — although this fact was not known until 
after the grafter was killed, as he was during the coup d'etat of 
February, 1912. 



MADERO 'S DUPLICITY EXPOSED 

It was, however, necessary that the public and the world should 
not learn of the fact that Gustavo had embezzled the $375,000, 
as knowledge of such fact would naturally prejudice the world and 
the Mexican people. The victimized bankers had to keep quiet lest 
they receive nothing whatever, the Maderos meanwhile promis- 
ing to meet the "obligation" in good season. 

Likewise, in addition to revelation that the Mexican Congress 
had appropriated $700,000, Mex., to cover Gustavo's advances, it 
soon became known that the Maderos — themselves of the land baron 
class — with grandfather Evaresto Madero a dyed-in-the-wool land- 
owning aristrocrat — that never in the lifetime of any Madero, had 
any member of the family been guilty of an act of generosity, so 
far as the non-land-owning-peon-class was concerned. On the 
contrary, it developed that the Maderos had always treated the 
peon with the same degree of contempt that characterizes the at- 
titude of every so-called, high class Mexican towards the "under 
dogs" — that is, as though he were the scum of the earth. 

As a consequence the Maderos became objects of suspicion and 
aversion. The common mob of Mexico indicated its aversion. As 
quickly as he rose in favor, just as quickly did Don Francisco 
Madero find himself reduced in the estimation of the very class 
which was responsible for his elevation to the presidency. 

The result was to be foreseen. The retirement, or "removal" 
of Madero was an absolute certainty. Had the man retained office, 
or had he lived, until Mr. Wilson became president, the end would 
have been the same. 

Indeed we are not so sure that Villa would not have killed 
him, or spit upon him, even while he occupied the presidential chair, 






92 OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 4 

as was the case when Villa spat in the face of one of the temporary ^ 
executives of Mexico. ^ 

Certain it is that Don Venustiano Carranza would never sub- 
mit to the proposition that a man like Madero remain president of 
Mexico — not more than a year, at most. ,^ 

For Don Venustiano is a crafty man. He is superior to a 
dozen Madero 's. Twenty years ago he had ambitions, and twenty 
years ago General Diaz was apprehensive concerning the moves of 
the "subtle man from the North.'' 

We merely desire to make clear the fact that Francisco Madero 
was a thousand miles removed from being a true reformer or that 
he was a mart^T:* at any time. 

It was inevitable that the people of Mexico would learn that 
Madero was utterly incompetent to administer the affairs of state 
and that he was not sincere in intention to bring about the reforms 
which he so clamorously advocated, or give the peon liberty, or 
the lands, which were to be so generously divided among them. In- 
deed, Madero was as generous with catch-phrases as Mr. Wilson 
himself, but short on action. 

Therefore the people began to murmur. They began to inquire 
why the Maderos had done nothing. They began to ask why Don 
Francisco associated only with the aristocrats. 

In the course of a short time a decided antagonism inimical 
to Madero was manifested by the peon class. After a period of 
waiting, a vast multitude gathered in the plaza fronting the 
National Palace. The masses assembled demanded that Madero 
carry out his promises. 



MADERO, THE KILLER 

When the "little president" attempted to go through the 
crowd, or over them — for he, as well as his brother, Gustavo, put 
on a bold front — he was attacked by a number of "under dogs", 
and with great difficulty, succeeded in reaching the palace. In 
fact Madero might have been killed by the infuriated members of 



OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 93 

the mob had the police and rurales not arrived at an opportune 
moment. 

As the manifestations of hatred for Madero did not cease, 
and as the multitude refused to disperse, and as it was evident that 
the unarmed mob would attack the palace, Madero decided to order 
the soldiers to fire into the dense mass, feeling certain that a volley 
or two would have the desired effect and cause the multitude to 
leave. 

Whereupon the National Palace, or presidential guards, fired 
into the mass of people. The guards were stationed on the roof of 
the palace. A number of citizens were killed and wounded, which 
fact appeared to make the others more determined to remain. 

As the situation grew serious, the more so as the common herd 
secured staves, or weapons of some sort, a hurried call was sent to 
the barracks for additional soldiers. 

Wben these approached, they found themselves confronted by 
a raging, frenzied mass of peons, and it became necessary for the 
soldiers to fight every inch of the way to the palace. 

The multitude was composed of the class known as *' under 
dogs" and they were in desperate straits. In this instance they 
had wholly reverted to savagery. Unarmed save that they pos- 
sessed poles or implements of some kind, they attacked the mounted 
troops impetuously, pulling many from their mounts and dispatch- 
ing the rider when they succeeded in throwing him on the ground. 

The guards on the roof of the palace, and the armed relief, 
continued to fire into the struggling mass. A large number were 
killed and many were wounded. On the morrow, so it is stated, 
nearly two hundred bodies lay dead on the plaza. These were 
quickly removed and buried. 

So much for the popularity of Francisco Madero. In this 
manner he decided, once for all, to let the peon class, the "sub- 
merged eighty-five per cent", know that while it served his pur- 
pose to gain the presidency by proclaiming that his ''passion" was 
for the peon, and that he would divide the land among them, that, 
in fact, he never so intended. Whether this matter has ever 
interested Mr. Wilson we are not prepared to say. 



94 OUB MEXICAN MUDDLE 

MADERO 'S DEATH INEVITABLE 

That the death of Francisco Madero was the mere matter of 
hours after this event was a foregone conclusion. In Mexico no 
president could survive after a demonstration of this kind. j,a' 

Besides, the majority of the population regarded Madero as 
being a rebel — which he was — so far as Diaz was concerned. In 
the opinion of the military gentlemen who had served the great 
Diaz it was inevitable that they would look upon Madero as being 
a common everyday rebel — and as a rebel deserving death. 

Americans make a great mistake in applying Americanized 
opinions to conditions in Mexico and in claiming the right of criti- 
cizing the Mexican people. We imagine that our viewpoint and 
our ideas, or ideals and our theories, ought to govern. We forget 
that we never have attempted to change or mould public opinion 
in Mexico. We forget that our conception of law and justice is not 
at all like the view of any Mexican in relation to the two subjects. 

We call certain acts — when a man is killed — as being murder, 
but in Mexico, the same act is not so regarded. It always has 
been proper and right to kill any political usurper in Mexico, and 
Madero was just that, for by open rebellion, and by seducing the 
soldiers of Diaz with false promises, he gained the presidency. 

He was elected president with a total of 20,000 votes to his 
credit— only 20,000. About 30,000 were cast. Here is food for 
reflection. Thirty thousand votes with a population of 15,000,000. 

Mr. Wilson made the serious error of deciding that, while he 
had never in any way endeavored to change the view-point of any 
Mexican concerning the impropriety of political murder, and failed 
to realize that such murders are the rule and justifiable in Mexico, 
he would nevertheless let the world know that he never would 
recognize Huerta because he rose to power via the murder route. 

At the same time, we greatly suspect that non-recognition of 
Huerta was based on the fact that Don Victoriano refused to do 
Mr. Wilson's bidding, for the president assumed, without the for- 
mality of trial, and as in opposition to the statement of Mr. Henry 
Lane Wilson, then Ambassador to Mexico, that Huerta had no hand 



OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 95 

in the murder of Madero ; that Huerta was guilty and should not be 
recognized. As a consequence we have had a far greater degree of 
** Heirs delight" in Mexico than would have been the case had Mr. 
Wilson recognized Huerta. 

And about this particular murder: How about the murder 
of Americans? How about ten times ten thousand murders which 
we can trace to the doors of the chosen bandits of the democratic 
administration? Is any American president rejoicing because of 
these ? 



CHAPTER XIV 

THE EXECUTION OF MADERO— A PRESENTATION OF 
MR. WILSON AS A '^ CORRECTOR OF DESTINY" 

Much, indeed, has been written concerning the alleged murder 
of Francisco I. Madero. Upon this hypothesis was built the rejec- 
tion of Huerta by Mr. Wilson and the final elimination of the 
designated ''usurper", but — and here lies the most impressive and 
important fact of all — the elimination of Huerta remotely resulted 
in the terrible loss of life and the deluge of blood which has forever 
damned all Mexicans (as Mexicans) and has caused all so-called 
civilized peoples to look upon them as blood-thirsty savages — no 
more and no less. 

Yet we are not to infer that it was the intention of any Amer- 
ican to bring about this awful horror. The terrible happenings 
that followed upon the heels of the elimination, or retirement of 
Huerta, cannot be charged to any American as in the nature of a 
deliberate act, or that any American expected such a result to 
occur. By this we mean, by any American in public life, for it 
is a fact that there are some Americans that knew in advance that 
the elimination of Huerta, even had the masterful Mexican volun- 
tarily withdrawn, was certain to precipitate all Mexico into an 
awful maelstrom of blood sacrifice, and of these, one was the author.' 

The fault, or the responsibility, so far as any American in 
public life is concerned, lies in the fact that they were ignorant, ^ 
that they were not acquainted with Mexican history and Mexican 
characteristics, and also due to the fact that they persistently 
refused to be informed, or to seek dependable information, unless 
such came from persons who were of a like mind, or from confiden- 
tial agents; personal representatives or consuls, who were selected 
for the purpose of securing information which harmonized with 
the expressed views of the person in position to make such selection. 

96 




It ■**'^ ^Rflt ^f^ 



O 

-J 
O 
> 



O 
O 

o 



OVR MEXICAN MUDDLE 97 

Is it a matter of record that Mr. Wilson sought information 
from, or guidance by those persons who know Mexico and Mexican 
mental vagaries? Is it of record that Mr. Wilson consulted the 
publishers of the New York Tribune, or the Chicago Tribune ? Is 
it a matter of record that Mr. Wilson sought the advice of Mr. 
Hearst, the great publicist, who, though largely responsible for 
making Mr. Wilson president, was, and is an American first and a 
politician last ; therefore has never hesitated to attack presidential 
folly, as applied to Mexico. 

Mr. Wilson must bear his fair share of odium and responsi- 
bility, because he refused to be enlightened, because he preferred 
to make the eliminlftion of Huerta a personal affair, and to exag- 
gerate the importance of the alleged murder of Madero, preferring 
to gratify his personal feelings, or his conception of the degree of 
deference due him as the ''protector" of the political destinies of 
American republics; or he was utterly oblivious concerning the 
consequences certain to follow the elimination of Huerta. 

Mr. Wilson informed us that he secured information relating 
to Mexico by lending a receptive ear to a host of liars. This burst 
of confidence (and we know that Mr. Wilson was, and is, decidedly 
adverse to taking the people into his confidence, this despite the 
fact that he has, on occasion, stated that he played an open game 
and that his cards were on the table) was made during one of his 
public addresses. 

But now, weighing all of the statements made by Mr. Wilson 
against the counter-weight of admitted facts and actual events, 
we find it impossible to establish the recondite relevancy of mere 
presidential asseveration with the terrible conditions existing in 
Mexico, or as related to his public declarations and his actions, or 
lack of action relating to Mexico, or with admitted facts, as com- 
pared with the gentleman's imaginative and exaggerated Ego. 

The foregoing may savor of verbosity but the fact remains, and 
one easy to understand, that Mr. Wilson has played only one game 
as far as Mexico is concerned, and that game is best designated by 
the name of ''Folly", or as "The Tragedy of Errors" — or by any 
name that indicates that his every idea, theory, conception, inten- 



98 OVR MEXICAN MUDDLE 

tion, deception, watchful waiting, evasion, omissions, admissions, 
mistakes, passion, desire, or whatsoever, as applied to Mexico, has 
proven a dismal failure. Not only that, but has been mainly 
responsible for all of the hell that has taken place in Mexico since 
Huerta was eliminated. 

MR. WILSON IN ERROR 

However, no man may say that such evil was contemplated or 
intended by Mr. Wilson. It appears that he lacked knowledge of 
Mexico, and, as he had started out along certain lines, he was dis- 
inclined to change his course, and thereby admit he was mistaken 
and in error. 

Yet, in the end, he had to confess that he was not only 
in error, but also admit that he persisted in adding folly upon 
folly, notwithstanding the fact that he was fully aware of all 
of the evils existing in Mexico, as is proven and attested by the 
note addressed to Carranza by Mr. Lansing, Secretary of State, 
June 20th, 1916. ' ' 

So in fear and trembling, with trepidation and hesitant step, 
with deep respect and reverent attitude, we approach the great 
humanitarian, and we beseech him to vouchsafe unto us a great 
favor, to wit: That he reveal the names of the liars who were re- 
sponsible for his Mexican errors ; to tell us of the methods they em- 
ployed to reach his ear and comprehension. 

FACTS SUPPRESSED BY WASHINGTON 

We are discussing a subject of great importance, Americans. 
One of sinister import, but in no wise fraught with sinister dangers 
or delicate considerations. Of sinister import because our Depart- 
ment of State has admitted that, notwithstanding the fact that it 
was in possession of complete information, and while fully aware 
of the continuance of the damnable horrors that have made of 
Mexico a spot accursed; where human life has no greater value 
than we attach to a rat; where virtue is desecrated by lustful 



OVU MEXICAN MUDDLE 99 

brutes who are ever seeking virgins who dare not resist; where 
peon women are as dogs in the street, and always dangerous to 
both male and female; where Americans are subjected to humilia- 
tions such as no other people would endure; for they were mur- 
dered, outraged, robbed, raped, abused, tortured, spat upon, and 
dragged naked through the streets of Mexican towns — streets reek- 
ing with human filth and the dregs of human corruption — and 
beaten and reviled by coyotes in the form of human beings — never- 
theless this government refused to act. And all this transpired 
O Americans, while political Washington exploited the damnable 
policy known as watchful waiting, masked by pretense of intent 
to save human life, or clouded by an easy flow of eloquence, or by 
any subterfuge of advantage to a politician. 

Is it not true that political Washington was wrapped, as in a 
cloak of hypocrisy for three years ? Is it not also true that politcal 
Washington was always conscious of the damnable deviltries of 
blood-thirsty Mexicans ? Is it not likewise true that political Wash- 
ington was fully informed concerning the unnameable acts of the 
inhuman monsters of Mexico ? Is it not a fact that politcal Wash- 
ington deliberately suppressed all consular reports which revealed 
the horrors of Mexico? Is it not a fact that politcal Washington 
did everything possible to keep the people in ignorance — not because 
of any design to remedy the evils, but for the express purpose of 
political advantage? Is it not also true that political Washington 
made no move whatsoever to remedy conditions in Mexico until 
the press finally realized that this government was purposely with- 
holding important information, and that the policy of watchful 
waiting was intended for political effect? and, furthermore, was 
largely responsible for the murder of our own nationals and the 
slaughter of countless Mexicans. Does not Mr. Lansing's note ad- 
dressed to Carranza prove the truth of these indictments? 

When — upon what occasion, and what was the nature of the 
offense that finally caused political Washington to cast off hypo- 
critical pretense and come out into the open? 

Was it the massacre of Americans at Santa Isobel and the 
attack on Columbus? 



100 OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 

The massacre of our eountrymen at Santa Isobel and the at- 
tack on Columbus, New Mexico — was entirely due to the folly of 
double-crossing Villa. Then, and then only did political Washing- 
ton realize that real action was necessary, that the mask could be 
worn no longer, that something had to be done in order to appease 
an outraged and horrified people. So the ridiculous plan of pursu- 
ing Villa was decided upon, for political Washington felt that it 
must be consistent with itself, however inconsistent in principle and 
in fact and with the people of the United States, and likewise ap- 
pear to be keeping faith with Carranza, and live up to the oft 
repeated promise that this country should never make war on 
Mexico, as long as Mr. Wilson could interpose preventive measures. 

That the plan to pursue Villa was ridiculous and as imprac- 
tical as all other plans operated or proposed by Mr. Wilson is 
obvious. As a subterfuge to get American troops into Mexico 
it was a success, which could have been accomplished openly 
just as easily. Of course, political Washington did not send the 
soldiers into Mexico under such conditions or with such intent, but 
the Mexican people can easily believe that we took unfair advan- 
tage of them. It would be difficult at this writing to find any 
Mexican who believes in the sincerity of Mr. Wilson, or one who 
does not believe that Mr. Wilson is other than a crafty, hypocritical 
politician. 

JOCKEYING WITH CARRANZA 

And now that the massacre at Carrizal has passed into history, 
we find ourselves adventuring along infamous diplomatic lines. 
We are again jockeying with Carranza, ''the Subtle." We are now 
trying to prevent all manner of discord in Mexico. We would, in 
fact, if we had the opportunity, be glad to welcome Villa back 
into the fold. We will endeavor by all that is holy and unholy, to 
prevent the least rumor of disturbance from reaching the Amer- 
ican public — for we hold presidential elections early in November, 
1916, and we desire to have all the people understand that Mr. 
Wilson succeeded in avoiding and in averting war with Mexico. 



OVU MEXICAN MUDDLE 101 

We are not to forget that he "kept us out of war" and that he it 
the *' great peace president/' 

Yea, verily! And so be it. But do not forget that the same 
situation confronted us during the fall of 1914. It was then 
shouted to the house-tops that Mr. Wilson had eliminated Huerta ; 
that he had kept us out of war ; that he had patched up the differ- 
ences existing between Villa and Carranza — and so it was, at least 
up to and during election-day. But on the morrow Carranza and 
Villa were at each other's throats and hell has raged in Mexico 
ever since. 

Yes, we were kept out of war (?) yes — surely, and the 
murders, the massacres, and our abortive punitive expeditions are 
the result. And 100,000 Mexicans were murdered as mere by-play. 

PRESIDENT WILSON VS. AMBASSADOR WILSON 

Mr. Wilson has employed a phrase now well known to every 
one in this country, ''Too proud to fight." We infer that this 
was intended for the dear public only, for we know that Mr. 
Wilson does not possess a disposition wholly amiable. He objects 
to being crossed in any way. He is greatly inclined to have his 
own way. He objects to gratuitous advice from persons other 
than those from whom he desires to obtain advice: For instance, 
he wanted information concerning Mexico, but not from Ambass- 
ador Henry Lane Wilson, so he sent a stone-man to Mexico for 
such purpose — ^likewise instructed to request Huerta to eliminate 
himself — ^but failed to secure information of value or to remove 
the *' usurper" for Huerta refused to go. Therefore Mr. Wilson 
W2ixed wroth. In fact, he must have grown white with passion, 
for he appeared before Congress requesting permission — merely 
as a matter of form — to use the army and fleet for the purpose 
of sending poor old Don Victoriano into exile. 

No one ia the capital was then well posted on Mexican matters, 
unless by chance Senator Fall of New Mexico was the exception, 
and, as the members of Congress really believed that the president 
intended to defend the lives and property, and the honor of Amer- 



102 OVU MEXICAN MUDDLE 

icans, they agreed. All this is now a matter of history, and the 
Vera Cruz affair was the result. Which brings the subject back 
to the so-called murder of Madero and the attempted elimination 
of Huerta. 

On the so-called murder of Madero much depended. Mr. "Wil- 
son made the elimination of Huerta an imperative necessity before 
he would make any move to remedy anarchy in Mexico. His stand 
— as we have indicated — was based on the belief that Huerta was 
implicated, and even if not, nevertheless his elimination was 
demanded. Yet in the end Mr. Wilson in no wise moved to end 
the carnival of blood lust. 



■ 



CHAPTER XV 

THE REVELATIONS OF AN AMBASSADOR 

In this connection the revelations made by Mr. Henry Lane 
Wilson (a gentleman not related to the house of Woodrow 
Wilson) one time ambassador to Mexico, and one of the few expe- 
rienced diplomats in the service of this country, is of great interest 
and importance. 

The following paragraphs are culled from the ambassador *3 
writings on the subject. His articles, or series of articles, appeared 
exclusively in the various papers published by Mr. William Ran- 
dolph Hearst : 

BY HENRY LANE WILSON 



The personal acts of interference on 
the part of President Wilson are respons- 
ible for the condition of Mexico today. 
He is not today and never was in the 
position of a man who had a bad situa- 
tion thrust upon him and was making 
the best of his way out. He may be the 
victim of circumstances — but the circum- 
stances were of his own making. 

When President Wilson came Into 
oflSce, on March 4, 1913, Huerta had been 
the de facto ruler of Mexico only a week, 
but the capital was in tranquil condi- 
tion ; the disorders were slight and con- 
fined to a small area and the government 
was firm and forceful ; the treasury was 
in good condition and the country was 
paying its debts : foreigners were safe in 
any part of the land. 

In the three years that have passed 
since then, about two hundred thousand 
Mexicans have been killed and the coun- 
try has been laid waste. There is no 
treasury and the national obligations are 
all in default. There is no seat of gov- 
ernment and no ruler except a nomadic 
and autocratic "First Chief." 

During this period, between four and 
five hundred American citizens have been 
killed and between twenty-five and thirty 
thousand Americans have been compelled 
to abandon t>ielr homes and property. 

No man knows how much the Mexicans? 
have lost in dollars — they have lost all 
that they had. The American loss in 



dollars probably amounts to more than a 
billion. 

And In this same period the United 
States government has expended, through 
the efforts of President Wilson, about 
two hundred million dollars. Not one 
penny of this ^reat sum has been spent 
In the protection of American citizens 
or their property ; every penny has gone 
toward the expense of using the fleet or 
the army to execute some temporary pur- 
pose of President Wilson with respect to 
Mexico's internal affairs. 

Americans are now not only discred- 
ited in Mexico, but are thoroughly de- 
spised by rich and poor alike. Our power 
and prestige have gone and with them 
has gone the prosperity of the land. It 
is not possible to undo what hag been 
done ; the last three years cannot be 
lived over again. But it is still possible 
to save Mexico by an intelligent policy 
based on the real and not the fancied 
needs of Mexico. Such a policy was recom- 
mended by me in 1913 ; it lies in the 

archives of the Department of State. 
* * * 



CONCERNING THE DEATH OF MADE- 
RO AND VICE-PRESIDENT SUAREZ 

My own opinion Is that the govern- 
ment was not privy to the killing of 
these men, but that either their deaths 
resulted as related in the official version 



103 



104 



OVR MEXICAN MUDDLE 



or that they resulted from a subordinate 
military conspiracy, actuated by senti- 
ments of revenge for the murder of Gen- 
eral Ruiz in the National Palace, the 
probable murder of General Reyes and 
the shooting to death by the ex-presi- 
dcnt of Colonels Rlveroi and Izuierdo at 
the time he was made a prisoner. 

There can be no doubt as to the legal 
constitution of the present provisional 
government in conformity with preced- 
ents and the Mexican constitution. 



HUERTA'S INCUMBENCY LEGAL AS 
DE LA BARRA'S 

Madero and Pino Suarez resigned sim- 
ultaneously and their resignations were 
accepted by Congress. Lascurain, min- 
ister of foreign relations under Madero, 
then Immediately took the oath as pro- 
visional president under the constitution. 
He did not appoint a secretary of foreign 
relations, but he did appoint General 
Huerta Secretary of Gobernacion and 
Lascurain having resigned and his resig- 
nation having been accepted, the presi- 
dency devolved upon Huerta under the 
constitution in his capacity as Secretary 
of Gobernacion and he took the oath of 
office before Congress as President of 
the republic. 

The incumbency of Huerta Is as legal 
as was the incumbency of De la Barra 
after the resignation of Diaz. 

The present provisional government 
has shown remarkable activity and 
energy in restoring order, in subduing 
rebellious elements, and in consolidating 
different political factions and revolu- 
tionists in arms against the government 
of Madero. 

In the brief period of two weeks, the 
whole of the republic to the south and 
west of the federal district has, either 
by force or persuasion, been brought into 
a state of comparative peace. 

In a general way, it may be said that 
with the exception of isolated brigand- 
age committed by roving bands formerly 
under the lead of cbief tains who have 
now surrendered, the whole of the north 
is at peace with the exception of the 
State of Sonora and some portions of 
the State of Sinaloa, where the Gover- 
nor is supposed to be hostile to the 
present administration. 

General Huerta is preeminently a 
soldier, a man of iron mold, of absolute 
courage, who knows what he wants and 
how to get it, and is not, I believe, 
overly particular as to methods. He Is 
a firm believer in the policy of General 
PorfLrlo Diaz and believes In the cultiva- 
tion of the closest and most friendly 
relations with the United States. I be- 
lieve him to be a sincere patriot, and 
so far as my observation goes at the 
present moment he will cheerfully relin- 
quish the responsibilities of office as soon 



as peace is restored in the country and 
financial stability is reestablished. 

Present indications point to the 
reestablishment of peace and order 
throughout tlie republic within a fairly 
reasonable space of time, when due 
allowances are made for the enormous 
extent of territory which must be 
covered. 



FALSE INFORMATION TO WILSON 

A large number of Mexicans who had 
fled their country when Huerta came 
into power gathered in the United States. 
Some months before, the Mexican Min- 
ister of Foreign Affairs, Pedro Lascurain, 
on behalf of Madero, had sounded out 
President-elect Wilson and had given 
him much interesting, but totally false, 
information on Mexican affairs. 

Finding that President Wilson and his 
immediate associates were most recep- 
tive to all tales which might be used to 
bolster up any policy opposed to that 
which had been followed, the Mexicans 
gave them what they wanted. I have 
no personal knowledge of exactly what 
was told to the Persidcnt-clect or to 
Bryan or to the other influential men of 
the Democratic party, but I can easily 
imagine what would have been most ac- 
ceptable — and I know that whatever was 
most acceptable was that which was told. 

Madero, the martyr, is now — or was — 
In the oratorical stock of every Mexican 
who wants anything from the United 
States. Madero Is not held as a martyr 
in Mexico. The Idea would be too absurd 
there to be expressed except for purely 
foreign consumption. 

The opponents of Huerta could not 
break his government in Mexico, but 
they had the chance to break his govern- 
ment in the United States. They found 
that, properly trained and instructed, 
the United States might be made a most 
powerful revolutionary agent. 

It was a cleverly conceived Idea and 
it was just as cleverly executed. 

These men completely convinced Presi- 
dent-elect Wilson that he could achieve 
wonderful popularity as the apostle of 
democracy in Mexico and they founded 
the creed of the Wilson administration, 
that a Mexican without proof is to be 
taken at his word and that an American, 
with or without evidence, is a liar. 

On March 3, 1913, Huerta was in com- 
plete control of twenty-five out of the 
twenty-seven states of Mexico ; the onl.v 
rebel of any importance wag Carranza 
and he was practically without ammuni- 
tion and was being driven hard by the 
federal forces ; his capture was only a 
matter of days because his followers 
were rapidly slipping away from hini 
and going over to the government. 

But once Huerta refused to do the 
bidding of President Wilson, the issue 



: 



V 



OVR MEXICAN MUDDLE 



105 



became personal. The lives, the rights, 
the property of Americans were brushed 
aside contemptuously in order that 
President Wilson might show President 
Huerta that he was not a man to be 
defied. 

My protests against the destruction 
of Mexico to satisfy a personal whim, 
my efforts to obtain a settlement before 
Mexico and its American interests were 
destroyed and the set purpose of the 
administration to carry out its ideas of 
how Mexico should be governed no 
matter what the cost, are shown in my 
dispatches. 

TO MR. WILSON 

Mexico, July 1, 1913. 

DEAR MR. PRESIDENT— I send you 
herewith for your private and confiden- 
tial information a copy of an interview 
had with Dr. William Bayard Hale by 
Mr. Noel, the political secretary to Gen- 
eral Diaz, who is also an American and 
correspondent of the New York Sun. 

I have assumed tbat Dr. Hale has no 
official mission in Mexico, and that he 
Is not charged with the making of any 
report to you concerning conditions in 
Mexico, but in the event that informa- 
tion should be offered you from this 
source I deem It my duty, as your per- 
sonal representative here, to say to you 
that this person is by temperament and 
habit entirely unfit to form a Just and 
clear idea of the situation here. 

HUERTA RFLE HAS GOOD POINTS 
AND BAD POINTS 

I feel, my dear Mr. President, that 
whatever may be your final attitude 
toward this administration, and it has 
its bad points as well as its good points, 



that it is my duty to you to see that yon 
are in no wise misled, either by the 
reports of sentimental idealists or oy 
those conditions which will force inter- 
vention, as to the real character of the 
Madero administration. * * * 

* * * "the hostility of a rapidly 
growing Mexican opinion supported by 
an almost unanimous resident American 
opinion ; the freedom and persistence 
with which the rebel forces are claiming 
our attitude to be a signal of our en- 
couragement and support ; the unsuccess- 
ful results of many representations for 
protection to American interests aud 
American lives ; the vast injury which is 
being inflicted upon American trade and 
American prestige and the Increasing 
difficulty and embarrassment attending 
the transactions of this embassy with the 
Mexican government — all these are mak- 
ing such a disheartening impression upon 
me that at the risk of being considered 
intrusive and inconsistent I must again 
urge upon the President that, upon the 
highest grounds of policy, which in this 
case I understand to be the cultivation 
of sentiments of friendship and respect 
with a neighboring and friendly nation, 
the restoration of peace and the conserv- 
ing and the extension of our material in- 
terests in Mexico, we should without fur- 
ther delay, following the example of all 
governments accredited here except two, 
accord official recognition to the present 
provisional government." * * * 

Of course, it was never possible to 

?iacify Mexico by any other means than 
orce. But at that time President Wil- 
son was wallowing together with Secre- 
tary Bryan in a sea of preronceived 
theories. And the result was that which 
always follows such theories in govern- 
ment — a great number of lives were 
needlessly sacrificed. * * * 



Henry Lane Wilson 's notes reveal a fact of unquestioned im- 
portance, viz. : That Huerta would have paid great deference to 
the desires of this government had the President accorded him 
recognition. 

Note that Huerta is represented as being a man of great 
courage. He proved this to the world, but most of our publica- 
tions failed to record the fact. The intrepid old wan^ior unhesi- 
tatingly exposed himself to any and every danger that might con- 
front him in the United States. He also braved the wrath of 
the man who eliminated him, for he came to these United States 
only, in the end, to experience humiliation and death, for he was 
arrested by federal authorities, charged with organizing a conspir- 



106 OUE MEXICAN MUDDLE 

acy designed to disturb peaceful conditions in a country, tlie 
government of which was at peace. 

What mirthful traversity! Contrast Huerta's conduct with 
that of Villa and Carranza — does any one believe that Villa would 
ever dare — even though he were to become a powerful factor once 
more in Mexico — to visit the United States openly? Does anyone 
believe that Don Venustiano Carranza will do so? Huerta never 
caused the death of Americans, but Villa murdered several and 
Carranza caused the death of a number. 

Did Mrs. Madero call on Mr. Wilson and implore him to avenge 
her husband's death? Rumor has it that Mrs. Madero proceeded 
to Washington a short time after her husband's death, and that 
she sought an interview with the President. It was suggested that 
when the bereaved lady came into the presence of the President 
she displayed great emotion and fell weeping at his feet. It was 
also suggested that the President was visibly affected and after 
hearing the woman's story was resolved upon crushing Huerta, 
whatever the cost. 

If the interview occurred, no doubt Mr. Wilson was easily 
convinced that Madero was killed by Huerta, hence was the more 
resolved not to recognize the latter. Mrs. Madero could not do 
otherwise than represent that her husband was murdered and that 
his death was due to a plot — but death plots are quite the rage 
in Mexico, as Mr. Wilson no doubt knows by this time. 

Senor Adossides, war correspondent, indited the following 
criticism of Mr. Wilson's impracticable Mexican policy in April, 
1914. Perusal of the criticism shows conclusively that Mr. Wilson 
is a man who refuses to be guided by experience. He continued 
to err. 

April 26, 1914. 

** President Wilson's original blunder in not recognizing Huerta 
as the President of Mexico precipitated the calamity. He withheld 
his recognition on the ground that General Victoriano Huerta took 
possession of the Mexican presidency illicitly, acquiring his dic- 
tatorship through unspeakable craft and murder. 



OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 107 

Did he then thmk to commit the inconsistency of proclaiming 
his unswerving friendship and collahoraiion with the northern 
rebellious cutthroats, who, for less ethical reasons, agree with Mm 
that General Huerta is unrecognizable? 

If, at the beginning of his attitude toward Huerta, he was 
ignorant of the real facts concerning Mexico and the Mexicans, he 
should by this time have learned to avoid further and arrant mis- 
takes which in an hour of such serious crisis might become irrepar- 
able to the interests of North America. 

The epochs of wars of sentiment belong to the history of the 
past. Social and industrial conditions have completely changed the 
ancient emotion to the modern point of view. Commerce and indus- 
try, which recompense man's labor, are the motives and the basic 
strength of an organized society. War is the final defense of these 
foundations. 

Billions of dollars have been invested in Mexico; thousands 
of Americans and other foreigners have taken up their abode in 
Mexico for the purpose of exploiting the untouched resources of 
that country. Porfirio Diaz was the man who established the credit 
of Mexico, and it was he who invited the world to take advantage 
of its dormant opportunities. Twelve long years were spent in 
establishing Mexican peace and order. Truly enough, he accom- 
plished his purpose with fire and sword, but with the knowledge 
that it was the only available means to the necessary end. 

Madero 's revolution forced the departure of Diaz, but in reality 
it was the United States that ousted him. Madero was an agent of 
the United States, and without American aid Diaz would have 
remained the President of Mexico. Madero was a failure; for 
various reasons Huerta failed, and for many more reasons known 
to any one familiar with Mexico and Mexicans, neither Carranza, 
Gomez, Villa, nor any other Mexican leader can restore the long- 
sought peace in Mexico. 

Racial hatreds, personal ambitions, financial speculations 
among the leaders, and the primitive ignorance and Oriental fatal- 
ism that poisons the masses are the undeniable obstacles of the 
restoration of order in Mexico." 



CHAPTER XVI 

PRESIDENT WILSON ON MEXICO 

In the issue of the Saturday Evening Post, dated May 23, 1914, 
appeared the following paragraphs concerning Mr. Wilson's atti- 
tude regarding Mexico. The interviewer in this instance was none 
other than Mr. Samuel G. Blythe, who, no doubt, put down the 
exact words uttered by the President. No man in America is 
closer to political Washington than Mr. Blythe, and he is a veritable 
wizard concerning all matters political. 

Comment by the author follows each paragraph attributed 
to Mr. Wilson. 



t( 



'My idea is an orderly and righteous government in Mexico; 
but my passion is for the submerged eighty-five percent of the 
people of that republic, who are now struggling towards liberty." 

Comment: Three and a half years have passed since Mr. 
Wilson became President, and nearly four since he was elected, 
which was during a period that enabled him to decide in advance 
the character of his Mexican policy — all save regard to Huerta. 
Never the less Mr. Wilson has not contributed in any way towards 
establishing ''an orderly and righteous government in Mexico." 

On the contrary, his every word and every act has largely 
contributed to increase the fearful evils with which we are now 
familiar. This is easy for all men to understand. 

Above the necessity for good government, appears ^Ir. Wilr 
fion^s ''passion for the submerged eighty-five percent of the people." 

In view of aU that h^s happened in Mexico during the two 
years that have elapsed since ^Ir. Wilson made the statement attrib- 
uted to him, may we not inquire: "What has become of the 'sub- 
merged eighty-five percent', and in what manner were they 'sub- 
merged' — if not by the revolutionaries?" 

108 



QUE MEXICAN MUDDLE 109 

Does Mr. Wilson know that no less than 500,000 Mexicans of 
the peon class have found refuge in the United States? This in 
order to escape the tender mercies of their asserted liberators, 
such as Don Venustiano Carranza and Don Pancho Villa. 

By the same token the number would be 5,000,000 were it pos- 
sible for such number to reach refuge in this country. 

The entire eighty-five percent referred to are at liberty to 
do as they desire. "Why is it that they do not rise up enmasse, and 
possess the kind of liberty !Mr. Wilson referred to? 

''I challenge you," he said, 'Ho cite me an instance in all 
history of the world where liberty was handed down from above ! 
Liberty always is obtained by the forces working from below, 
underneath, by the great movement of the people." * * * • 

Comment: Mr. Wilson wrote a work concerning the Amer- 
ican people. He does not state therein that ' ' forces working from 
below" evolved independence for Americans. Did Mr. Wilson 
specifically refer to Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Monroe, Frank- 
lin, Morris, Madison, and the other leaders of the American Rev- 
olution — and intend that we regard them as the element from 
** below" — or ''underneath"? 

What is Mr. Wilson's present opinion of the objects of his 
passion"? Are they "from below," or above par? 



it 



"It is a curious thing," he continued, "that every demand 
for the establishment of order in Mexico takes into consideration, 
not order for the benefit of the people of Mexico, the great mass 
of the population, but order for the benefit of the old regime, for 
the aristocrats, for the vested interests, for the men who are 
responsible for this very condition of disorder. No one asks for 
order because order will help the masses of the people to get a 
portion of their rights and their land." ******** 

Comment: The foregoing speaks for itself. Mr. Wilson, no 
doubt, like any one who has resided in Mexico for many years and 
was fully conversant with every condition there. No doubt he had 
or has, conferred with the "masses of the people" — and they in- 



110 OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 

formed him that all disorder in Mexico is wholly due to the ter- 
rible acts of the aristocrats, and, without making any attempt 
whatsoever to learn whether the aristocrats were actually respon- 
sible for the terrible events that have convulsed Mexico, the kindly 
humanitarian unhesitatingly states that they were guilty, declar- 
ing that the aristocrats are responsible for the hell that has raged 
in Mexico for the past five years. 

And Mr. Wilson is right, at least so far as one lone aristocrat 
is concerned; namely, Francisco I. Madero, a man of high birth, 
a man who possessed vast domain, a man who promised much but 
gave nothing — save death. A man obsessed with intent to plunge 
Mexico into a seething vortex of bloodshed, savagery and suffer- 
ing — and succeeded, but, for what ? 

And the liberty the whole people were to have : The liberty 
which was promised so generously as an incentive to induce the 
common classes — ''the submerged eighty-five per cent" — to go 
forth and die ; what has become of this feature ? 

Surely ''the gi-eat mass of the population" should now possess 
all of the blessings enumerated by Mr. Wilson, since it is a fact 
that Diaz abdicated five years ago, and for the express purpose of 
leaving the problem in such shape that the self-styled reformers 
would not be embarrassed by his presence in Mexico. 

Surely the great mass of the people should now possess liberty — 
for is it not a fact that Woodrow Wilson desired to befriend them 
in every way? Did he not proclaim to the world that he had (or 
has) a "passion" for them? Is it not a fact that Huerta was 
eliminated some time ago? Hence not a single grandee, hidalgo, 
exploiter, overlord, aristocrat, or other type of human being is 
left in all Mexico, who possesses the power to enslave the masses, 
or deprive them of the land which by right is fully theirs, unless 
it be Carranza. 



:^f 



i 

V 
■v',' 



OUB MEXICAN MUDDLE 111 

MR. WILSON ATTACKS THE ARISTOCRATS. IS MR. WIL- 
SON OF THE COMMON CLASS OR AN ARISTO- 
CRAT—POLITICALLY CONSIDERED? 

If Mr. Wilson is not an aristocrat, therefore possessed of a 
''passion for the submerged eighty-five percent of the people of 
Mexico '', why has he not demonstrated the fact by making a real 
effort of some kind to alleviate their terrible sufferings? Is it not 
a fact that they are a thousand times worse off than they were when 
the great Diaz resigned supreme? 

You will note, dear reader, that if you do not know the facts 
and the truth about Mexico, that political Washington is certain 
to be benefited by, and will take full advantage of your lack of 
knowledge relating to this subject. 

Political Washington realizes that politcal success depends 
upon the fact that we Americans do not know the truth about 
Mexico. Naturally, therefore, political Washington will keep us 
in the dark. 

It is not easy to understand why, since Mr. Wilson professes 
to feel a sjnupathy and a ''passion'^ for the "under dogs" of 
humanity, that the gentleman appears to have forgotten that there 
is such a thing as justice. He seems to have built up a deadly and 
bitter hatred against the aristocratic class which gave to Mexico the 
only degree of liberty its people have ever known, and that measure 
of civilization and progress which existed before the advent of 
Madero. For from the very moment the so-called liberator ap- 
peared with his army, which, by the way, was financed with money 
stolen from French investors by Gustavo Madero, all progress 
ceased. The peon class was debased and now find themselves a 
hundred times worse off than they were during the time when Diaz 
was master. Why, then, the peculiar attitude assumed by tlie 
president ? 

Mr. Blythe states that his interview with the president 
occurred April 27, 1914. Reference to the date is made for the 
purpose of showing how utterly absurd and futile was the posi- 
tion assumed by Mr. Wilson; how illogical his statements and ex- 



112 OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 

pressed opinions, and how utterly impractical, as applied to Mexico. 
This is proven by all that has transpired in Mexico since the date 
reterred to. 

Continuing, Mr. Blythe again quotes the president — refer- 
ring to Consul General Hanna's report concerning the battle of 
Torreon — as follows: 

**"Well, if you read that dispatch, you learned that Mr. Hanna 
was most agreeably surprised and gratified by the treatment 
Villa's men gave their prisoners; how they endeavored to live up 
to the rules of civilized warfare ; how they were constantly on the 
outlook for new information that would relieve them of the stigma 
of being barbarians. This merely shows that these people, if given 
a chance, are capable of learning and are anxious to learn.'' * * 

Comment: This statement undoubtedly indicates that at the 
time — and for some time thereafter — Mr. Wilson favored Villa and 
was anxious to adopt him as the ''pet" bandit of this government. 

The interview took place about the same time that Villa was 
heralded as being the savior, or Napoleon, of Mexico. At a later 
period — to be exact, some time in October, 1914 — we suspect that 
Villa was assured that this government proposed to aid him and 
further his ambitions in every way possible, provided political 
"Washington was not implicated too deeply. 

Still later we know that political Washington found it neces- 
sary to repudiate Villa. The bandit could not contain the ragings 
of his "Latin soul," hence refused to depart from the time-honored 
habit of slaughtering helpless prisoners, and in killing defenseless 
Americans. When it became evident that Carranza was certain to 
eliminate the "pet" bandit, political Washington double-crossed 
the accursed satyr, and more hell resulted, as will always be the 
consequence of any act on the part of political Washington so far 
as Mexico is concerned. 

On April 27, 1914, the President said : "I shall fight every one 
of these men who are now seeking to exploit Mexico for their own 
selfish ends. I shall do what I can to keep Mexico from their 
plundering. **********#«*## 



OUR MEXICAN MUDDLE 113 

*'It will be a great thing not only to have helped humanity by 
restoring order (in Mexico) but to have gone further than that by 
laying the secure foundations for that liberty without which there 
can be no happiness." ************* 

Comment : The foregoing clearly defines Mr. Wilson 's peculiar 
and impractical views, both peculiar and impractical because they 
relate to Mexico, although the last paragraph is very delightfully 
worded. 

But Mr. Wilson is possessed by more than one ''passion,'^ 
His greatest ''passion" was, and remains, in the nature of an 
obscession, as applied to visionary persons ''who are seeking to 
exploit Mexico." 

Imaginary persons are always of easy access. The ' ' Oil inter- 
ests" are easy to attack. We have become so accustomed to placing 
the blame upon "Standard Oil" that we now find it compara- 
tively easy to unload the burden upon that great corporation at 
any and all times. For this reason a good many people believe 
that the oil interests are actually responsible for discord in Mexico, 
whereas, in fact, no man can fasten such evidence on any of the 
oil concerns. Nor can Woodrow Wilson do so. 

ME. WILSON REFERS TO "SECURE FOUNDATIONS FOR 

LIBERTY." 

In what manner has the gentleman contributed to the accom- 
plishment of this much desired end ? Is it not a fact that the Mexi- 
can people are farther removed from liberty and happiness now 
than they were two, three or even five years ago? This is largely 
due to the fact that Mr. Wilson was so absorbed by a "passion," 
designed to prevent "exploiters" from adventuring into Mexico, 
that he overlooked the awful realities, hence bloodshed and dis- 
order increased apace. 

It cannot be denied that it is a "great thing to have helped 
humanity." But it is impossible to point to a single instance 
wherein Mr. Wilson has aided the helpless Mexicans. On the con- 
trary, it appears that whatever this gentleman's real design, his 



114 OTJR MEXICAN MUDDLE. 

meddling in Mexico, together with his exalted sentiments relating 
to the Mexican muddle, have only served to intensify every evil 
and increase disorder there, as every event that has occurred in 
Mexico since March, 1913, amply proves. i 

MR. WILSON— HISTORIAN AND SPEAKER— EUROPE, 

CHINA, AND MEXICO 

In these days we judge a politician by what he says. Mr. 
Wilson has, on occasion, indulged a propensity to say a good deal. 
He has also written a good deal ; that is, as an author. 

Judging the gentleman by his expressions regarding humanity, 
and by his professed ''passions," likewise by all that he asserts in 
his writings, we assume that he is, or that he desires to be regarded 
as a humanitarian. 

In this connection we venture to quote paragraphs selected 
from a work written by Mr. Wilson entitled, ''A History of the 
American People." 

Mr. Wilson unhesitatingly states that he prefers the Chinese 
to Europeans. He severely criticizes those Californians — or other 
Americans — who oppose the admission of the Chinese, or who do 
not favor Chinese labor. However, read his own words thereon: 

''But now there came multitudes of men of the lowest class 
from the south of Italy and men of the meaner sort out of Hungary 
and Poland; men out of the ranks where there was neither skill 
nor any initiative of intelligence ; and they came in numbers which 
increased from year to year, as if the countries of the south of 
Europe were disburdening themselves of the more sordid and hap- 
less elements of their population. "******** 

*'The people of the Pacific coast had clamored these many 
years against the admission of immigrants out of China, and in 
May, 1892, got at last what they wanted, a federal statute which 
practically excluded from the United States all Chinese who had 
not acquired the right of residence, and yet the Chinese were more 
to he desired as workmen, if not as citizens, tlian most of the coarser 
crew that came crowding in every year at the eastern ports' 



,>> 



OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 115 

**but it was their [the Chinese] skill, their intelligence, their hardy- 
power of labor, their knack of succeeding and driving duller rivals 
[Americans in California and elsewhere] out, rather than their 
alien habits, that made them feared and hated, and led to their 
exclusion at the prayer of men [Americans] they were likely to 
displace. '^ #»****«**»»* 

''The unlikely fellows who came in at the Eastern ports were 
tolerated because they usurped no place but the very lowest in the 
scale of labor." ***#******** 

"What manner of humanitarian have we here? Are we to 
wonder, or feel any degree of astonishment that Mr. Wilson has 
expressed a ''passionate" preference for the so-called "under 
dogs" of Mexico, and for such men as Villa and his cut-throat 
crew? 

Mr. Wilson openly prefers the Chinese to the Italians, Hun- 
garians and Polanders. For these unfortunates Mr. Wilson had no 
word of pity, no word of sympathy, not the least sign of passionate 
enthusiasm. On the contrary he classified them as objectionables. 

Why not bestow some degree of sympathy and passion on this 
unfortunate class? 

The Chinese are extolled to the very skies by Mr. Wilson, 
though we very much doubt that the good man has any acquaint- 
ance whatever with the race (and we are certain he knew very 
little of the Mexican people before he became president). 

The President does not hesitate to state that those Americans 
who apprehended displacement were a class incapable of contending 
with the skill, the intelligence and the labor of Chinese. 

We wonder what the empire builders of California think of 
this statement, for it was this class which clamored for the exclu- 
sion of the Orientals. 

We fear that Mr. Wilson's brand of humanitarianism is en- 
tirely personal, and made to fit the peculiarities of personal pref- 
erence, to the exclusion of all other mortals, however deserving of 
sympathy or passionate regard. 

Now no man may confer blessings upon a down-trodden people 
when his brand of humanitarianism lacks in practical application 



116 OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 

and is impractical. On the contrary, overheated or over-enthusi- 
astic expressions relating to ''under dogs," are more than likely to 
increase their ills, likewise the ills of those who suffer in conse- 
quence of the activities of such ''under dogs," especially those 
favorable to Villa, rather than be helpful or serve to lessen the evils 
in any way. 

Since it is a fact that the scum of Mexico of which the revo- 
lutionists are composed, always reverse the meaning of the expres- 
sions of Americans, it is more than likely that they imagined that 
Mr. Wilson was encouraging them to greater deeds of blood-lust, 
for certain the fact that his lofty sentiments had scarcely been 
translated for the edification of the "under dogs," when, lo and 
behold, they surpassed all previous records in deeds of violence and 
savagery. 

And whom shall we blame ? 

No doubt Mr. Wilson believes in himself. He must believe 
that he is a great humanitarian, but he fails to realize that his 
brand of the divine attribute can never be accepted or appreciated 
by the Mexican people. Mr. Wilson appears to be incapable of 
realizing that his lofty sentiments have only served to make matters 
worse in Mexico — which is also true of watchful waiting. 

For a long while watchful waiting was popular with the mass 
of American people. Now the term is highly objectionable — except 
to political-god worshipers — a class beyond political redemption. 

VILLA DOUBLE-CROSSED 

So far as relates to Villa's conduct, we must remember that 
he acted in accord with his conception of what constituted justifica- 
tion for attack upon our people. 

In common parlance Villa was double-crossed by political 
Washington, nor may any amount of denial or evasion change the 
fact. Hence it should be held responsible for Villa's outrages 
against Americans. Political Washington had intimate dealings 
with the man and it deserted him in a crisis. Political Washington 
solicited and accepted favors from Villa, detailed a personal repre- 



OVR MEXICAN 3IUDDLE 117 

sentative to accompany the bandit everywhere and to be with him 
constantly. Villa was pampered by political Washington. He was 
misled by false hopes. Then they double-crossed him. 

After which political Washington expected Carranza to have 
full faith in its high and holy purpose to aid — Carranza. 

With the result that political Washington was ever suspicious 
of Carranza — and Carranza vastly more so of it. 

A fine ending for well designed beatitudes, eloquently flouted 
under the guise of humanitarianism. 

Whatever the nature of the deal between this government and 
Santa Ana, or between this government and Villa, or with any of 
the bandit revolutionaries, in no instance is there any evidence of 
desirable results. Disappointment and betrayal is our only reward. 

That confidential and secret deals have been arranged between 
this government and individual bandits cannot well be denied, and 
rumor suggests that such deals have largely influenced political 
matters in the United States. It was believed by many that there 
was an understanding between this government on one side, and by 
Villa and Carranza — separately — on the other, to wit : That if they 
would refrain from fighting prior to the elections then pending 
(November, 1914) that such abeyance would be regarded as a per- 
sonal favor by potential Democrats. That there is every reason to 
credit this story one need only point to the fact that, for some time 
prior to the elections referred to, Villa and Carranza were ready 
to spring at each other's throats. Their armies were prepared and 
the stage set for the impending battle, when in a somewhat mysteri- 
ous manner, the First Chief and Chief Bandit were induced to 
defer action. 

POLITICAL INFAMY AND INFAMOUS DEALS WITH VILLA 

AND CARRANZA 

And thereby hangs a tale : On the tenth of October, 1914, your 
author called on the head of a great publishing house. The pub- 
lisher happened to be in Mexico about the time of the famous flag 
incident' — when 'Huerta's underlings offended our dignity and 



118 OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 

honor by abusing our marines and insulting the flag. This was dur- 
ing the first period, when this government and its humanitarian 
president failed to protect our nationals. When it became neces- 
sary for a German warship to rescue American citizens apparently 
deserted by our own powerful battleships, not because our sea 
fighters deemed it expedient and wise to withdraw from Tampico, 
but due to the infernal diplomacy of political Washington. 

The great publisher returned to the United States filled with 
rage and contempt for political Washington. He was exceedingly 
wroth and indignant. 

Therefore your author believed that the great publisher would 
be particularly interested in a certain book relating to Mexico and 
would not hesitate to produce the volume. 

Imagine our surprise when the gentleman stated that, while his 
opinion of political Washington remained the same, and while he 
felt a species of deep seated resentment towards this government, 
because it had cowardly abandoned our people in an hour of dire 
peril, nevertheless he would not permit his feelings to bias his busi- 
ness judgment, and, as Mr. Wilson had accomplished the elimina- 
tion of Huerta, therefore removing the one person, or element, which 
disturbed President Wilson, or who was capable of annoying this 
government, and as it was likely that Villa and Carranza would 
adjust their differences and get together again, therefore in his 
opinion — the opinion of the great publisher — it would be foolish to 
attempt to get out a book on Mexico. 

WTiereupon your author said, ''I fear you do not understand 
President Wilson in the least, nor understand Mexico and the 
Mexican character at all, nor the peculiar political by-play adopted 
by potentials at Washington. You may have spent a few days or 
a few weeks in Mexico, and while there, absorbed local gossip, and 
opinion, but like the majority of Americans you fail to perceive 
and understand the essentials." 

The great publisher rather indignantly resented your author's 
candor, for he is candid and unafraid when dealing with the truth 
and with the actual facts. The publisher said, * ' Why, what do you 
mean by saying that ? " 



OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 119 

So the author answered and said, '*My dear man, in the first 
place we are about to hold an election. The people are to elect 
Governors, United States Senators and Congressmen. If Villa and 
Carranza clash in fierce engagements, or a battle of consequence 
occurs before election day. Democratic candidates would be 
jeopardized, for the simple reason that our people will conclude 
that the elimination of Huerta was a mistake and conditions in 
Mexico have, as a consequence, degenerated into a case of *out of 
the pan into the fire,' as open war between Villa and Carranza will 
result in a far greater degree of hell for Mexico than could pos- 
sibly occur were Huerta still in power. Therefore I want to go on 
record as a prophet, and I say unto you, that : WITHIN TWENTY- 
FOUR HOURS AFTER the result of the elections are announced 
Villa and Carranza will fight their first general battle and from that 
time on HeU-will-be-to-pay in Mexico. 

*'It is my opinion that Mr. Wilson realizes this, and is appre- 
hensive, for quite recently he detailed two confidential agents to 
proceed to Mexico. Consul Silliman was assigned to Carranza and 
the other, Mr. Carouthers, delegated to Villa. 

*'At the same time the embargo on the export of arms and 
munitions to Mexico is strictly observed. All gun-running has 
ceased. Unless the revolutionists receive such supplies from the 
United States they will be unable to protract the war, but they 
possess sufficient stores to enable them to carry out immediate de- 
signs and become irritably effective and dangerous, so far as relates 
to communicative influence on the elections and on political Wash- 
ington, which is where the rub comes in, for Washington fears the 
result of an open rupture between the two master-bandits, who, in 
turn, very much desire to obtain arms and ammunition. 

*' So the matter stands. And are we not quite right in assuming 
that political Washington is worried and anxious to ward off, to 
postpone the battle? 

**How do we know but what it may be true that the two con- 
sular agents were instructed to inform their respective conferees 
that, if they would refrain from all open warfare until after the 
elections, and do this as a personal favor to political Washington, 



120 OVB MEXICAN MUDDLE 

that political Washington would indicate reciprocal appreciation 
by removing the embargo on the export of arms and make it easy 
for the Mexicans to obtain everything they desire ? 

*'How do we know that it is not a fact that Villa was con- 
fidentially informed that he was the particular favorite of political 
Washington and as such would be secretly aided ' ' ? 

Concerning all of which your author points to press reports 
dating from November fourth, 1914, for the purpose of proving 
that his deductions were correct in every particular. In further 
proof of the foregoing we refer to the fact that the embargo on arms 
was lifted shortly after the elections were held, and that damnable 
conditions increased and crowded upon devasted Mexico. Human 
beings were slaughtered by the thousand. Suffering and starvation 
ensued. A few Europeans were slain, but hundreds of Americans 
were murdered, and by the very persons this government had fav- 
ored. 

And, worst of all, political Washington appeared to sustain 
Villa. He was privileged to slay, to rob, to burn, to become a de- 
stroying angel, a true representative of ''Hell's Delight." And 
then, when Villa ceased to serve the purpose of certain potential 
humanitarians, they deserted him, but not until such act was cer- 
tain to result in the slaughter of more Americans — as witness the 
massacre at Santa Isobel. 

But no one can say that this was intended or looked for, for the 
entire Mexican muddle was based on outrageous and damnable ig- 
norance on the part of political Washington, hence the terrible 
massacre was not anticipated. 

And ignorance, in such case, spells murder for our citizens 
when the government indulges in impractical and experimental 
meddling, and we were guilty of meddling in Mexico. 

Your average Mexican resents meddling. Then he murders. 
But baste him with a * ' big stick, ' ' then he will eat out of the hand 
that smites him. 



OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 121 

NEFAEIOUS AND INFAMOUS SECRET DEALS 

Moreover is there any justification for any person, or persons, 
representing the people of the United States, to enter into secret 
deals of any kind with any Mexican, be he pirate, bandit or a plain 
everyday ' ' general. ' ' If it is a fact that this government succeeded 
in persuading Villa and Carranza to postpone murderous hostilities 
in exchange for the privilege of obtaining munitions of war, was 
such arrangement anything less than heinous ? 

If any person, or persons, representing the people of the 
United States were guilty of entering into confidential or secret 
relations, or deals of any kind, with either Villa or Carranza, or 
both, shall they escape responsibility? 

Can such person, or persons, be adjudged honorable, or be 
deemed capable of conducting the affairs of this government? 

And if it be a fact that tens of thousands of Mexicans were 
slaughtered, (and thousands also h?ve perished of starvation and 
by disease, and hundreds of Americans were murdered), all of 
which was due to the fact that this government encouraged Villa 
to believe that it favored his ambitions, and encouraging him in the 
belief that he was the *' Napoleon" of Mexico — the "man of des- 
tiny, ' ' and filled his bandit brain with this idea, and fed his bandit 
soul with such elusive food — with the result that he slaughtered 
and murdered, and destroyed and raged like an accursed blight 
over the world's fairest paradise — who shall be held responsible, 
Villa, the bloodthirsty, or this government ? 

Is it not written that those who occasion the sacrifice of human 
beings cannot escape responsibility? Did Diaz escape? Did Ma- 
dero escape? Did Huerta escape? Shall Villa escape — or Car- 
ranza, or any Mexican? Or shall any American escape responsi- 
bility, and it be a fact that one is involved in any manner ? 

From somewhere, from out of the mysterious nebular nowhere, 
accusing fingers point to those who, however unwittingly, however 
good intentioned, nevertheless have contributed to the relentless 
ravishment of Mexico, and to the snuffing out of countless lives. 
"Who are they ? Ask political Washington. 



CHAPTER XVII 



WILSON AND MEXICO 

EDITORIAL COMMENT AND PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS 

—THE VIEWS OF NOTED WRITERS CONCERNING 

MR. WILSON'S MEXICAN POLICIES— FACTS 

CONCERNING VILLA AND OTHER 

REVOLUTIONARIES 



From Collier's, June 13, 19H 

He wants to sidestep the logical result 
of his own act : disliking intervention 
above all things, he took in the beginning 
the one step whose logical end teas iiiLor- 
ventlon. That is Wilson's pergonal trag- 
edy. It sounded line when he did it, and 
we all praised him for his lofty wonU pf 
distaste for a government founde(T'''jn 
assassination. Now that unpleasant con- 
sequences have come, he must accept 
them as well as he did the praise. It is 
entirely fair to Insist that he ought to 
have considered the consquences. 

From the melodramatic interview 
which President Wilson gave to the "Sat- 
urday Evening Post" we take this : 

"I challenge you [he said] to cite me 
an instance in all the history of the 
world where liberty was handed down 
from above ! Liberty always is attained 
by the forces working below, underneath, 
by the great movement of the people. 
That, levened by the sense of wrong and 
oppression and injustice, by the ferment 
of human rights to be attained, brings 
freedom." 

This passage from Wilson's utterances 
gives the clue to what is the matter with 
him. He tries to make words take the 
place of facts, and, in the slang of the 
day, so far, he gets away with it. We 
have watched carefully the newspapers or 
the United States for their comments on 
this interview, and, with the single ex- 
ception of the Louisville "Courier-Jour- 
nal," they have, as men say, fallen for it. 
Some hundreds of editors have uttered 
quite lyrical praise for a statesman with 



sentiments so noble and a historian so 
rich in knowledge. And right here Is 
Wilson's trouble. Through a skill in 
words which is in part, we think, over- 
subtle and in part auto-hypnotic, he has 
created a figure of himself, and a world, 
both of which are false, both of which 
are made up of words and have little re- 
lation to facts. In creating this false 
personality, shallow newspapers, which 
have not the intellect to put the acid 
test to his words, are as responsible as he 
is himself. Of course this figure and 
world of words is bound to come to smash 
sooner or later. 

It would be difficult to compress more 
false history and bad statesmanship into 
so few words as are contained in the 
paragraph quoted from Wilson's inter- 
view. To take the most obvious example, 
consider human slavery. It was once 
practically universal ; it is now practi- 
cally unknown. We can't recall — and it 
would be entirely safe to challenge Wil- 
son to recall — a single square foot of the 
earth's surface upon which slavery was 
abolished by rebel'ion on the part of the 
slaves. (The island of Haiti may be a 
possible exception.) The abolition of 
slavery has Invariably been "handed 
down from above." If these words of 
Wilson's were true, slavery in the United 
States would have been abolished by re- 
bellion on the part of the slaves. It suits 
Wnison to invent this sort of history and 
this sort of philosophy for justification 
VI hen he finds himself, against his inten- 
tion, identified with Villa's bloody upris- 
ing. And so far as the newspapers are 
concerned, he gets away with it. 



This editorial completely covers Mr. Wilson's conception of 
himself — but reversed. We begin to understand him. 

In '^ World's Work" of October, 1914, Mr. Wilson candidly 
states that the occupation of Vera Cruz was in no sense** a rupture 

122 



OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 



123 



or war between the United States and Mexico, but a ** disagree- 
ment between 'this government' and a person calling himself the 
provisional president of Mexico." 

Mr. Wilson contended that conditions in Mexico were im- 
proving instead of growing worse. He insisted that the common 
people would be benefited. In every way he attempted to justify 

the hasty action which resulted in the occupation of Vera Cruz 
and the utterly useless killing of seventeen American marines. 

Mr. Wilson also assured us that he played a fair game, that 
his cards were on the table. In his own charming way (at least 
charming to certain persons) he solved the doubts of interviewers 
and they were disposed to believe that all the President asserted, 
or stated, was true, and based on essential facts, simply because 
the President said so. 

But subsequent history and revelations prove conclusively that 
Mr. Wilson was both mistaken and in error. 



BLAMES WILSON FOR DEATHS AT VERA CRUZ 

From Chicago Evening American, August 22, 1916. 



Portland. Me.. Aug. 22. — Ralph D. Cole, 
chairman of the speakers' bureau of the 
Republican National Committee, declared 
in a speech here that President Wilson 
was responsible for the deaths of Ameri- 
can marines at Vera Cruz in 1914. 

Mr. Cole made this charge in reply to 
Senator Lewis of Illinois, who, in defense 
of the Democratic Mexican policy, de- 
clared in the Senate that the "generals 
of the Republican party" were responsible 
for the death of everv American soldier 
killed on the Mexican border in 1916. 

"I answer Senator Lewis with this." 
said Mr. Cole. "Here and now I place 
the responsibility for the death of the 
nineteen American marines and bluejack- 
ets and the scores of Mexicans killed at 
Vera Cruz upon the head of the man who 
issued the order to our men NOT TO 

FIRE UNTIL THEY WERE FIRED ON. 
ORDERS WERE HANDICAP 

"If it was necessary to take Vera Cruz 
it conld have been done without shedding 
a d-op of blood. It could have been taken 
wUhout the lo'5s of a mnn. Had It not 
been for the orders that hindlcapned Ad- 
m'^al Fletcher this wou^d hive been done, 
and f^R pommflndpr-ip-ohif'f of the army 
and navy President Wilson was, and is, 
dirertly respon^sible. 

"In 1898. when the United States 
waged a war of humanity with Spain, 



Admiral George Dewey received from the 
great Republican president, soldier and 
statesman, the noble, martyred McKinley, 
this terse order : 'Find the Spanish fleet 
and capture or destroy it.' 

"In 1914, when Admiral Fletcher was 
Instructed by President Wilson to take 
the custom house and port of Vera Cruz, 
his orders were to land his forces, Dut 
under no circumstances were they to fire 
until they were fired upon. 

LOSS OF LIFE UNNECESSARY 

"Had Admiral Fletcher been told 
merely to take Vera Cruz he would have 
served notice on the commander of the 
Mexican forces that if he did not sur- 
render within a stated period the Ameri- 
can fleet would shell the city. It never 
would have been necessary to carry out 
that ultimatum. Half a dozen twelve- 
inch shells sent screaming over the city 
would have sent every armed Mexican 
within its borders scurrying to the sand 
hills, and Vera Cruz would have been 
occupied without the loss of an American 
life. 

"I call it murder, and I say to you 
that all the solemn fulsome word«( of 
eulogy pronounced over their funeral 
biers dM not minimize the load of re- 
Bponsibility for the wanton wa<5te of their 
blood that rests upon the head of him 
whose orderg they obeyed." 



124 OVR MEXICAN MUDDLE 

This statement is substantially the same as the one made by 
Mr. Robert I. Kerr before the Chicago Association of Commerce, 
May 25, 1914. 

Mr. Kerr was acting civil governor of Vera Cruz for three 
days, but knowing too much about the realities of Mexico he was 
hastily removed by political Washington. 

Later Mr. Kerr made a special trip to Washington, hoping to 
have opportunity to advise the president concerning actual condi- 
tions, and of impending consequences, but was unable to gain 
audience with Mr. Wilson. 

Mr. Kerr stated that plans to take Ye^ Cruz without the loss 
of life had been perfected. 

''UNDER DOGS" 

In his Indianapolis speech Mr. Wilson announced that he had 
a ''passion" and was "enthusiastically" in sympathy with the 
"under dogs" of Mexico. He likewise stated that, if he were mis- 
taken in his views regarding the appreciation of the American 
people for his humanitarian attitude and his Mexican policy, he 
would be disposed to leave the country — which is another indica- 
tion of his rashness when addressing an audience. 

Prior to the Vera Cruz fiasco, or at the same time, Mr. Wilson 
appeared before the Congress and gave us to understand that 
"sinister" aspects impended. He was very capable of conjuring 
up awful or portentous happenings — which never materialized. 

But in the face of Mexican realities he was always helpless 
and at the same time grew intolerant and visibly angry whenever 
anyone suggested a practical solution of the difficulty. 

When Mr. Wilson read his message at the closing of the ses- 
sion of Congress, December 7, 1914, he omitted all reference to 
Mexico. 

No doubt he was glad to do so, for the elimination of Huerta 
had failed to impart any sense of gratification, and the whole world 
knew that Mexico was then in the throes of savagery, as Villa and 
Carranza were engaged in ferocious attempts to destroy each other. 
Mr. Wilson's meddling had only made matters worse. 



OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 



125 



It was on this occasion that Mr. "Wilson announced — ^with his 
usual delightful diction and graceful expression — that he was 
opposed to preparedness, for, he said : 

. ''We never have had, and, while we retain our present prin- 
ciples and ideals, we never shall have, a large standing army. 
. . . We must depend, in every time of national peril, in the 
future as in the past, not upon a standing army, nor yet upon a 
reserve army, but upon a citizenry trained and accustomed to 
arms.'' 

When the country as a whole indicated that preparedness was 
desired, Mr. Wilson — for the first time — used a special train (our 
presidents are allowed $25,000 per annum for expenses, whether 
spent or not) and journeyed through the West for the express pur- 
pose of learning whether the people were in favor of preparedness, 
and, learning that they were, it was subtly made to appear that 
such sentiment had been aroused by the President himself. Which 
goes to prove that political Washington proposes to secure full 
credit for all national sentiment, provided it is favorable to Wilson. 

Particular importance attaches to the statements made by 
Mr. Wilson upon the occasion which he addressed 700 clergymen, 
the Railway Business Association, and the Motion Picture Board 
of Trade, in New York City, January 28, 1916 : 



America has more than once given 
evidence of the generosity and disinter- 
estedness of its love of liberty. It has 
been willing to fight for the liberty of 
others as well as for its own liberty. 
The world sneered when we set out for 
the liberation of Cuba, but the world does 
not sneer any longer. The world knows 
now what it was then loth to believe — 
that a nation can sacrifice its own inter- 
ests and its own blood for the sake of 
the liberty and happiness of another peo- 
ple. 

LEARNS ABOUT MEXICO FROM 
LIARS 

In his speech before the Motion Pic- 
ture Board of Trade, President Wilson 
said in part : 

"I found out what was going on in 
Mexico in a very singular way — by hear- 
ing a suflBciently large number of liars 
talk about it. 

"It is very tedious to hear men lie, 
particulai-ly when you know they are 
lying. You feel like reminding them that 
really your time is important to you, and 



that you wish they would get down to 
business, and tell you what is really so ; 
but they don't, they want this adventure 
of their invention ; they want to give an 
excursion to their minds before they get 
down to business. And what I particu- 
larly object to is a very able man with a 
lot of invention coming to me and lying 
to me, because then the interview is very 
tedious and long before we get down to 
business. 

"The best way to silence any friend of 
yours whom you know to be a fool is to 
induce him to hire a hall. Nothing chills 
pretense like exposure ; nothing will bear 
the tests of examination for a shorter 
length of time than pretense. At least, 
so I try to persuade myself ; and yet there 
are some humbugs that have been at 
large a long time. 

"I suppose there is always a rising 
generation whom they can fool, but the 
older heads ought not to permit them- 
selves to be fooled ; and I should think 
that in a year like the year 1916. when 
thL^re is to be a common reckoning for 
everybody, men would hurry up and begin 
to tell the truth." 



126 



OVR MEXICAN MUDDLE 



The foregoing scarcely requires comment, or analysis. We 
now know that Mr. Wilson acted on his own suggestion — *Ho tell 
the truth." 

For a long, long time political Washington avoided telling the 
truth — or revealing the facts about Mexico — but it had to come 
out finally and Secretary Lansing released the cat. His com- 
munication, or note, to Carranza, dated June 20, 1916, admits that 
"this government'* was familiar with conditions in Mexico, 
whether the information was gained from ''liars" or from sources 
which, in Mr. Wilson's opinion, were dependable. 

We confess to some degree of astonishment that Mr. Wilson 
attempted to divert the attention of the public from the serious- 
ness of the Mexican muddle by representing that he did not believe 
that horrible conditions actually existed because a ''number of 
liars" indulged in the liberty of visiting the White House for the 
purpose of discussing the "tedious" subject with Mr. Wilson. 

Because of this, we challenge Mr. Wilson to reveal the name 
of any man who lied to him in regard to Mexican conditions. 



CHINA VS. MEXICO 

While Mr. Wilson refused to protect the lives and property 
of Americans in Mexico, he has encouraged investment in so-called 
Chinese securities. 

As China is practically in the same state of unrest as Mexico, 
and likely to be convulsed by revolutions for a long time, the Presi- 
dent's glaring inconsistency is all the more surprising and incom- 
prehensible. The clipping quoted speaks for itself : 



Peking, Nov. 5. — The struggle between 
the Chinese parliament and President 
Yuan Shi Kai has brought about drastic 
action by the president, which. In the 
opinion of many, will have a serious effect 
on parliamentary government. 

Lengthy presidential proclamations 
"were Issued at midnight expelling the 



Kwo Ming Tang party, numbering more 
than 300 members, from parliament. The 
proclamations recount the difficulties 
with which the government has been 
struggling since the Manchu regime, and 
describe disasters which it is feared will 
follow if parties such as the Kwo Ming 
Tang are permitted to exist. 



If Mr. Wilson cannot, and even refuses to try to protect our 
investments in Mexico, how are we to expect him to protect such 
in China? 



CHAPTER XVIII 

/ 

VILLA, THE *TET*' BANDIT 

Mr. Sam Blythe appeared to be enamored with the President, 
when, in April, 1914, the great political expert interviewed Mr. 
Wilson regarding the latter 's attitude relating to Mexico. 

In 1916 Mr. Blythe had occasion to again write of Mexico and, 
in the vein so characteristic of the gentleman, most entertainingly 
described how this government luxuriated in the possession of a 
''pet" bandit, an article Mr. Wilson could scarcely appreciate. 

We reproduce herewith reference to the *'pet" bandit, the 
paragraphs being culled from an article written by Mr. George 
Marvin, which appeared in *' World Work" in the July issue of 
1914. 

Mr. Marvin introduced excerpts copied from a paper prepared 
by Senator Lodge. He wrote as follows: 



From World's Work, July, 191^. 

Accordingly, for the sake of greater 
emphasis, the following specific state- 
ments, read into the Congressional Rec- 
ord by Senator Lodge on May 5th, may 
here be appropriately introduced : 

When Ciudad Juarez was taken from 
the Federals in May, 1911 he [Villa] 
killed Senor Ignacio Gomez Oyola, a man 
of over sixty years of age, under the fol- 
lowing circumstances : Having sent for 
him, Villa asked whether he had any 
arms in his house, and on his saying he 
had not. Villa, "who was seated on a 
table," drew his revolver and shot him 
dead. After rifling the corpse of money 
and valuables it was thrown into the 
street. 

After the triumph of the revolution. 
Villa, in November, 1911, obtained a mo- 
nopoly from the then governor of Chi- 
huahua for the sale of meat in the cit^ 
of Chihuahua, which he procured by steal- 
ing cattle from the neighboring farms. 
Suspecting one of his subordinates, Cris- 
tobal Juarez, of stealing on his own ac- 
count, he killed him one night in the lat- 
ter part of November in the Calle de la 
Libertad. 



In the early part of May, 1913, Villa 
with 75 men, assaulted a train at Baeza, 
state of Chihuahua, that was carrying 
bars of gold and silver valued at $50,000, 
killing the crew and several passengers, 
including Messrs, Caravantes and a Senor 
Isaac Herrero, of Ciudad Guerrero. 

Toward the end of the month Villa's 
band took the town of Santa Rosalia, 
Chihuahua, shooting all prisoners and 
treating the principal officers with terri- 
ble cruelty. Colonel Pueblecita was shot 
and his body dragged along the streets 
of the town. The commercial houses of 
many others were totally sacked. Many 
private persons were murdered, one of 
the worst cases being that of a Spaniard. 
Senor Montilla, cashier of the house of 
Sordo y Blanco, who was shot over the 
head of his wife, who tried to defend 
him. Villa personally kicked her in the 
face as she lay on the dead body of her 
husband. He, himself, killed a Senor 
Ramos, secretary of the court of first 
instance. 

He arrested more than twenty of the 
principal people of Santa Rosalia, tor- 
turing them and taking them out to be 
shot, until he obtained from them $35,- 
000, which were collected by several peo- 



127 



128 



OVE MEXICAN 3IUDDLE 



pie in order to save their lives. One of 
these was a lady, Senora Maria B. Co- 
viero, who was herself also tortured until 
the sum Villa wanted was forthcoming. 

In July, 1913, Villa took Casas 
Grandes, Chihuahua, and shot more than 
80 noncombatants, violating several 
young girls, amongst them two young la- 
dies named Castillo. 

He attacked and took the town of San 
Andres, which was held by the Federals, 
in September, 1913, shooting many 
peaceable residents and more than 150 
prisoners, many of these being women 
and children. In shooting these people, 
in order to economize cartridges, he 
placed one behind the other up to five at 
one time, very few of them being killed 
outright. The bodies of the dead and 
wounded were then soaked with petro- 



leum and thrown into bonfires prepared 
for the purpose. The prisoners were 
forced themselves to make the bonfire 
and cover with petroleum the rest of 
the victims. 

RUDOLFO FIERRO VILLA'S 
EXECUTIONER 

This is the man who, it is said on 
reliable authority, walked down the 
aisles of cots in an improvised hospital 
at Chihuahua, and killed 82 wounded 
Federals as they lay helplessly suffering. 
Pulling away the blankets from strug- 
gling, or cowering, half conscious 
wretches, until he recognized some badge 
or uniform, he silenced their cries and 
curses forever with a shot through the 
head or heart. 



JOHN K. TURNER 



Now comes John Kenneth Turner, not wholly unknown in con- 
nection with a work entitled : ' ' Barbarous Mexico, ' ' which was 
published prior to the launching of Madero's revolution, and had 
somewhat to do with creating antagonism against the Diaz adminis- 
tration in the United States, a prejudice largely undeserved, due 
to the exaggerations of the author of the work referred to. Mr. 
Turner refers to Villa's villainies and grafting. His article 
appeared in the ''Metropolitan Magazine," April, 1915, and in 
part was as follows : 



A committee was dispatched to Cor- 
doba to notify Carranza. It was while 
this committee was about its work that 
the Villa terror became effective. 

Villa's troops swarmed into the city. 
The convention was practically dispersed. 
Many delegates fled for their lives. Some 
were made prisoners. The remnant was 
overawed. 

The "convention" that declared Car- 
ranza a rebel and elevated Villa as Chief 
of Operations was composed of 60 men, 
18 whose credentials had been with- 
drawn, leaving but 42 of the original 155 
— and these 42 did not do the thing 
unanimously. 

Villa flung the bulk of his army head- 
long at Mexico City, and the garrison 
was compelled to evacuate without a bat- 
tle because there was not time to re- 
inforce it. 

In Mexico City Garcia Aragon was 
executed. Colonel David Berlanga was 
executed. Other delegates were reported 



executed. Still others fled in the night, 
to tell their stories later at the border. 

Finally "President" Gutierrez himself 
escaped, and in a remarkable statement, 
revealed the fact that even he had been 
a prisoner. Garza, who was "elected" to 
succeed Gutierrez, was entirely a crea- 
ture of Villa, the man who held Villa's 
proxy at Aguascalientes, the man who 
writes eulogistic histories of Villa's ex- 
ploits, a man to whom Villa had given 
many perquisites. 

In his grab at the supreme power, 
Villa simply executed a military coup 
d'6tat, using Gutierrez and the "conven- 
tion" as dressed-up figures to make a 
show of legality — exactly as Hueria usea 
Lascurain and Madero's terror-stricken 
congress twenty months before. 

Why does Pancho Villa want to rule 
Mexico? 

There is a natural presumption, in the 
first place, that it is not to give back the 
lands to the people, nor to realize any 



OVR MEXICAN MUDDLE 



129 



popular reform ; for statesmen prompted 
by democratic motives never employ the 
methods of autocracy to attain their ends. 

We begin to be informed when we look 
at the Villa administration of civil af- 
fairs. 

It is not generally known that Villa 
has been absolute dictator of Durango 
for a year, and of Chihuahua for seven- 
teen months. A fair guess as to what he 
would do to Mexico may be made from 
what he has done in Chihuahua and Du- 
rango. 

Villa has a little brother named Hipo- 
lito — a heavy, black fellow with guttural 
voice and long, drooping mustaches. Be- 
fore Pancho's rise to power Hipolito rode 
about the streets of Chihuahua City, hud- 
dled up far back on a burro, his knees 
bumping a pair of wobbly milk cans. 
Hipolito was the milkman. 

Nowadays Hipolito dresses like the 
Duke of Venice. He is to be seen nightly 
doing the tango in the public halls of 
Juarez. He is not exactly young or hand- 
some, but the sleekest and tenderest 
Mexican "chickens" are his. 

For Hipolito, too, has power. Hipo- 
lito is numerously but aptly termed "The 
Emperor of Juarez." Juarez is the Monte 
Carlo of America and Hipolito Villa is 
its king. For every turn of the roulette 
wheel, for every shuffle of the cards, 
Brother Hipolito must have his rake-off. 

The profits from the keno games alone 
run as high as $100 a night. The lot- 
tery, the races, the prize-fights, the cock- 
fights, the houses of ill-fame — each pays 
its dividend to Hipolito. Gambling and 
vice are a state monoply, owned by Hipo- 
lito Villa — and he pays no license fee. 

Hipolito Villa operates a meat packing 
plant in Juarez. Before the revolution 
against Diaz, the Terrazas family was re- 
puted to own a million cattle. When 
Villa drove the last Huerta soldier out 
of Chihuahua, it was estimated that 300,- 
000 Terrazas cattle remained. 

Villa declared all Terrazas property 
confiscated. But the largest army Villa 
ever bad in the north was under 20,000, 
and 20,000 men cannot even eat the in- 
crease of 300,000 cattle. 

So Brother Hipolito set up his packing 
plant. It is Hipolito's boast that he has 
never yet paid a dollar for his raw ma- 
terial, nor even a dollar to the railroads 
for freight charges. 

Hipolito is also special arbiter of the 
Juarez customs. A decree prohibits the 
export of nearly everything of value. 
But be assured that you can export — 
after you have seen Brother Hipolito. 
As tar back as New Year's Day, gambling 
hall gossip credited the former milkman 
With $4,000,000 in American banks. 

Villa has been credited with dividing 
the lauds among the peons. At one time 
he decreed the distribution of some Chi- 
huahua lands in lots of 62 y2 acres each. 

But this decree was never carried out. 



What happened is that the great ha- 
ciendas simply changed the names of 
their owners. 

For example. General Tomas Urbina. 
became one of the largest and richest cat- 
tlemen In the state of Durango. 

Villa gave General Orestes Pereyra La 
Hacienda de Balboa, 125 square leagues 
in extent, valued at a million dollars. 

Villa gave General J. Isabel Robles La 
Hacienda de la Flor, 25 square leagues, 
and a great cotton producer. 

Villa gave James Winkfield the large 
landed properties that formerly belonged 
to the Cardenas family. 

Villa gave Rafael Malacara an hacienda 
which Malacara sold back to its former 
owner for 25,000 pesos. 

Villa gave Lazaro de la Garza several 
haciendas, among them the magnificeuc 
property that formerly belonged to Colo- 
nel Carlos Gonzalez. 

Villa gave Colonel Roque Gonzalez, af- 
terward his "president," the great Rancho 
del Carrizal. 

The secret of success as a bandit chief 
Is generosity in the division of the spoils 
among the lesser bandits. Merely to 
have been a bandit in the time of Diaz 
is no shocking indictment. But Villa 
had been a bandit chief for twenty years. 

When, as a revolutionary leader. Villa 
captured a town, he took everything mov- 
able of value. Diamonds, jewelry and 
plate, instead of turning into the gen- 
eral fund, he distributed among his offi- 
cers. General Tomas Urbina, Villa's sec- 
ond-in-command, proudly displays two 
hairy hands almost hidden by diamond 
rings — thirteen of them, choice of two 
year's pickings. 

When bandits seize an hacienda, the 
women are considered a legitimate part 
of the plunder. When General Urbina, 
himself one of the original Villa bandits, 
took Durango City, he gave his soldiers 
twoney-four hours' license. Hundreds of 
women were outraged in the public 
streets. When complaint was made, Gen- 
eral Urbina became indignant. 

"Didn't they take the city? Isn't It 
theirs f" he demanded. "You should 
thank my soldiers that they left you your 
lives !" 

Villa himself is credited with choosing 
a now aflSnity in every city he visits. An 
example of his methods is afforded in 
the case of Senorita Concha del Hierro, 
which was exploited in the newspapers 
In January. Miss del Hierro. a girl of 
wealthy parents, after refusing Villa's 
advances, was abducted at Jimenez by 
fifty soldiers, and Villa delayed an ap- 
pointed meeting with the American gen- 
eral, Scott, in order to give her atten- 
tion. 

Meanwhile, Villa has three wives, 
whom he conducted, at various times, 
through the Catholic wedding ceremony. 
Two are living in Chihuahua City, in 
separate houses confiscated from rich 
emigres. 



130 



OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 



JACK LONDON, THE MAN OF FACT, WRITES 



IF ONLY HE HAD SETTLED VILLA 

Huerta is the flower of the Mexican 
Indian. Such Indians have appeared, on 
occasion, in the United States. Iluerta 
is brave. Huerta is masterful. But 
even Huerta has never hetrayed posses- 
sion of high ideals nor wide social vision. 

And Huerta has made mistakes. Two 
of these mistakes, to be mentioned in 
passing but which are not opposite to 
the contention of this article, are: (1) 
his not killing Zapata when he had the 
chance; (2) his very grievous error in 
not killing Villa the time he had hira 
backed up against a wall facing a firing 
squad. It was on this latter occasion 
that he compelled Villa, on his knees, 
arms clasped about Huerta's legs, to beg 
Huerta for his life. Villa has not for- 
gotten that little episode. 

A PORTRAIT OF VILLA 

By far the best correspondence that 
has come out of Mexico about Villa has 
been written by John Reed. He is an 
ardent supporter of Villa, his purpose 
and his methods. From his friendly ac- 
count of Villa these extracts are taken : 

"Villa was an outlaw for twenty-two 
years. . . . 

"Villa has at least two wives ; one, a 
patient, simple woman, who was with 
Lim during all his years of outlawry, who 



lives in El Paso, and the other a catlike, 
slender young girl, who is the mistress 
of his house in Chihuahua. He is per- 
fectly open about it. . . . 

"The colorados, or Federal volunteers, 
which are the remnants of Orozco's law- 
less army, he executed wherever he cap- 
tured them ; because, he said, they were 
peons like the revolutionists and that no 
peon would volunteer against the cause 
of liberty unless he were bad. The Fed- 
eral oflScers also he killed, because, he 
explained, they were educated men and 
ought to know better. . . . 

"Fierro, the man who killed Benton, is 
known as 'The Butcher' throughout the 
army. He is a great, beautiful animal 
of a man, the best and crudest rider and 
fighter, perhaps, in all the revolutionary 
forces. In his furious lust for blood 
Fierro used to shoot down a hundred 
prisoners with his own revolver, only 
stopping long enough to reload. He killed 
for the pure joy of it. During two weeks 
that I was in Chihuahua Fierro killed 
fifteen inoffensive citizens in cold blood. 
But there was always a curious relation- 
ship between him and Villa. He 'vCas 
Villa's best friend, and Villa loved him 
like a son and always pardoned him." 

It is grotesque that President Wilson, 
after revolting at Huerta, should find 
himself giving aid and comfort to, and 
practically in alliance with, such a leader 
and such an uprising as Villa's. 



BY SENATOR JAMES HAMILTON LEWIS, DEMOCRATIC 

''WHIP" 



LEWIS CRITICIZES WILSON 
Chicago Tribune^ June 1916. 

On the senate side Republican sena- 
tors attacked the president vigorously. 
Senator Lewis of Illinois was the only 
Democrat who would even discuss the 
note or the situation. He did not hesi- 
tate to criticize Mr. Wilson. 

"I urged the president months ago," 
Senator Lewis said, "to put the regular 
army in Mexico and the national guard 
along the border. I insisted at the time 
it would serve the double purpose of 
quieting Mexico and proving to the rest 
of the world the United States means 
action when it promises action in inter- 
national affairs. In addition it would 
have prepared the guard for war. My 
advice was not taken and I was told that 
I was a meddler." 



Senator Lewis said he believed Car- 
ranza would withdraw his opposition in 
preference to fighting the United States. 

THREE THINGS MUST BE DONE. 

"But whether or not Carranza backs 
down," continued the senator, "there are 
three things which the administration 
must do. 

"First, it must continue the pursuit of 
those bandits who have been guilty of 
the murder of Americans either in Mex- 
ico or the United States. 

"Second, it must oppose with suflBcient 
force all in Mexico who oppose it. 

"Third, it must continue to maintain 
in Mexico a sufficient force to protect 
American lives and property there and 
along the border until some constituted 
authority in that country proves that it 
has the power to relieve the United 
States of that duty." 



OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 



131 



During November, 1913, a man named Sydney Moulton, who 
had been in the employ of Senator Lewis as private secretary, 
threatened to reveal certain correspondence between the President 
and the Senator, alleging that the revelations would be most 
startling. 

Senator Lewis was selected by the administration to attack 
Governor Hughes on the stump. 



BY JOHN LIND, MR. WILSON'S PERSONAL ENVOY 

EXTRAORDINARY 



Chicago Examiner. 

To make a dog feel that he really is 
a cur, he must be whipped by another 
dog, and preferably by a cur. Conse- 
quently, let this house-cleaning be done 
by home talent. It will be a little rough, 
and we must see to it that the walls are 
left intact, but I should not worry ir 
some of the verandas and French win- 
dows were demolished. 

General Villa, for instance, could do 



the job very satisfactorily, as a good 
friend and a true and unselfish one. only 
desiring Mexico's good. We should be 
near enough by to prevent an utter neigh- 
borhood scandal, and, as a good neigh- 
bor, we should also, when the house is 
ready for permanent repairs, lend a help- 
ing hand and see to it that the work is 
done fairly and that the required ma- 
terial is not wasted. 

These are my views in skeleton form. 

LIND. 



In various ways did it come to pass that the *'pet" bandit 
grew to be an important and essential ally of political Washington. 



CHAPTER XIX 



WILSON CONFESSES 



Secretary of State Robert Lansing addressed a note to Car- 
ranza, June 20, 1916, recounting at great length various barbarous 
acts inflicted on Americans by Mexicans. 

Preamble : 



Chicago Examiner^ June 21, 1916. 

The Governmont of the United States 
has viewed with deep concern and in- 
creasing disappointment the progress of 
the revolution in Mexico. Continuous 
bloodshed and dii orders have marked its 
progress. For three years the Mexican 
republic has been torn wuth civil strife ; 
the lives of Americans and other aliens 
have been sacrificed ; vast properties de- 
veloped by American capital and enter- 
prise have been destroyed or rendered 
non-productive; bandits have been per- 
mitted to roam at will through the ter- 
ritory contiguous to the United States 
and to seize, without punishment or with- 
out effective attempt at punishment, the 
property of Americans, while the lives 
of citizens of the United States, who 
ventured to remain in Mexican territory 
or to return there to protect their inter- 
ests, have been taken, in some cases bar- 
barously taken, and the murderers have 
neither been apprehended nor brought to 
justice. It would be difficult to find 
In the annals of the history of Mexico 
conditions more deplorable than those 
which have existed there during these 
recent years of civil war. 

It would be tedious to recount instance 
after instance, outrage after outraj^e, 
atrocity after atrocity, to illustrate the 
true nature and extent of the widespread 
conditions of lawlessness and violence 



■which have prevailed. During the past 
nine months in particular the frontier 
of the United States along the lower Rio 
Grande has been thrown Into a state of 
constant apprehension and turmoil be- 
cause of frequent and sudden incursions 
into American territory and depredations 
and murders on American soil by Mexi- 
can bandits, who have taken the lives 
and destroyed the property of American 
citizens, sometimes carrying American 
citizens across the international boun- 
dary with the booty seized. 

American garrisons have been attacked 
at night, American soldiers killed and 
their equipment and horses stolen. Ameri- 
can ranches have been raided, property 
stolen and destroyed and American trains 
wrecked and plundered. The attacks on 
Brownsville, Red House Ferry, Progreso 
Postoffice and Las Peladas, all occurring 
during September last, are typical in 
these attacks on American territory. Car- 
ranzista adherents, and even Carranzista 
soldiers, took part in the looting, burn- 
ing and killing. Not only were these 
murders characterized by ruthless bru- 
tality, but uncivilized acts of mutilation 
were perpetrated. Representations were 
made to General Carranza, and he was 
emphatically requested to stop these rep- 
rehensible acts in a section which he has 
long claimed to be under the complete 
domination of his authority. 



And still we watchfully wait. 



132 



OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 



133 



GOV. COLQUITT CALLS MEXICO POLICY CRIME— POINTS 

TO TORTURE OF AN AMERICAN CITIZEN AND 

SAYS HE WILL PROTECT TEXANS— IS 

BACKED BY THE PEOPLE 



Chicago "News, March 9, 19U. 

Austin, Tex., March 9. — [Special.] — "I 
do not hesitate to say that the present 
policy of the United States government 
is largely responsible for these murders 
and outrages," Gov. Colquitt said today 
in speaking of the many crimes that have 
been called to his attention since he be- 
came governor of Texas. 

"I am informed that President- Wilson 
and Secretary of State Bryan have au- 
thorized a statement to the effect that 
they will expect an explanation from me 



regarding the return of Vergara's body to 
Texas soil. No such request has been 
received by me at this time, but my 
answer will be the same as heretofore. 

"I take the position that each state 
has the right of self-defense and ought 
to defend that right when the federal 
government does not afford the neces- 
sary protection. I have not hesitated to 
pursue such a course as would give Texas 
all the protection that this state can 
give." 

"GOVEENOR OF TEXAS." 



COLONEL THEODORE ROOSEVELT ON WILSON— EX- 
TRACTS FROM TWO SPEECHES MADE BY 
COLONEL ROOSEVELT, AND PORTION 
OF AN EDITORIAL IN THE CHI- 
CAGO TRIBUNE 



Chicago Triowney Sept. 2, 1916 

Col. Roosevelt's Maine speech was vio- 
lent criticism of the present government 
of the United States. Being true, it was 
necessarily violent. 

The great offense of the government is 
that it destroys the prestige, the confi- 
dence, the resoluteness, and the morale 
of the American people. 

We are rapidly becoming a timid peo- 
ple, content to accept affront if we can 
avoid disagreeable consequences. Na- 
tional degeneration starts there. "Thank 
God for Wilson !" is the cry of a nation 
going down hill. 

Mr. Wilson has played to this senti- 
ment and has developed it. * * * 

"He kept us out of war." is the most 
demoralizing campaign cry which has 
been raised in the United States in a 
generation. * * ♦ 

When we are asked to reelect Mr. Wil- 
son because "he kept us out of war" we 
are asked to indorse an ignominious 
national sentiment. We are asked to 
sell our national morality for a pair of 
carpet slippers. * * * 

Col. Roosevelt nailed the Wilson ad- 
ministration on this important issue. It 
is an administration which has corrupted 
the United States. 

December, 191.5. 

Not long ago President Wilson, in a 
speech at Swarthmore, Pa., declared that 



"nowhere in this hemisphere can any 
government endure which is stained by 
blood," and at Mobile, that, "we will 
never condone iniquity because it is most 
convenient to do so." At the very time 
he uttered those lofty words the leaders 
and lieutenants of the faction which he 
was actively supporting were shooting 
their prisoners in cold blood by scores 
after each engagement, were torturing 
men reputed to be rich, were driving hun- 
dreds of peaceful people from their 
homes, were looting and defiling churches 
and treating ecclesiastics and religious 
women with every species of abominable 
infamy, from murder and rape down. In 
other words, at the very time that the 
President was stating that "nowhere on 
this hemisphere can any government en- 
dure which is stained by blood," he was 
actively engaged in helping install in 
power a government which was not only 
stained by blood, but stained by much 
worse than blood. At the very time he 
was announcing that he would "never 
condone iniquity because It was conven- 
ient to do so" he was not merely condon- 
ing but openly assisting iniquity and in- 
stfllling into power a set of men whose 
actions were those of ferocious barba- 
rians. * * * 

Arenst .^1. 1916. 

"Und'^r President McKinlev we had a 
war with Spain. Under President Wil- 



134 



OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 



son we are assured that we have had 
'peace' with Mexico. These are the 
words. Now for the deeds. During the 
war with Spain fewer Americans wei-e 
killed by the Spaniards than have been 
killed by Mexicans during the present 
'peace' with Mexico. Let me repeat this. 
A greater number of Americans have 
been killed by Mexicans during these 
years, when we are officially informed 
that we have been at peace with them, 
than were killed by the Spaniards during 
our entire war with Spain. Moreover, 
when the war with Spain was through, 
it was through. 

"But peace continues to rage as furi- 
ously as ever in Mexico. iNor is that all. 
The instant effect of the outcome of the 
war with Spain was to put a stop to the 
dreadful butchery and starvation in 
Cuba and the Philippines, and the entry 
of both Cuba and the Philippines on a 
career of eighteen years of peace and 
prosperity such as they have never 
known before in all their checkered his- 
tory. But during these tbree years of 
Mr. Wilson's 'peace' the Mexicans them- 
selves have been butchered by tlicir own 
bandits, steadily and without intermis- 
sion, and Mexican women and children 
have died by thousands — probably by 
scores of thousands — of starvation, and 

of the diseases incident to starvation. 

* * * 

"Mr. Wilson became frightened and 
abandoned Vera Cruz, whereas Mr. Mc- 
Kindley did not abandon Manila. Mr. 
Wilson's operations were war Just as 
much as Mr. McKinley's. But Mr. Wil- 
son was beaten in his war. It was a 
war which was entered into pointlessly 
and abandoned ignobly ; it was a war 
which failed ; a war which did damage 
both to the Mexicans and ourselves, ahxl 
which In its outcome reflected infinite 
dishonor upon our nation. But it was 
a war, nevertheless. 

"Again in March last. Villa made a 
raid into American territory. He was a 
bandit leader whose career of successful 
Infamy had been greatly aided by Mr. 
Wilson's favor and backing. He was at 
the head of Mexican soldiers, whose 
arms and ammunition had been supplied 
to them in consequence of Mr. Wilson's 
reversing Mr. Tait's policy and lifting 
the embargo against arms and munitions 
into Mexico. They attacked Columbus, 
N. M., and killed a number of civilians 
and a number of United States troops. 

"On the next day the President issued 
an announcement that adequate forces 
would be sent in pursuit ot Villa 'with 

the single object of capturing him.' 

* * * 

"On August 27, 1913, President Wil- 
son said with marked oratorical effect : 
'We shall vigilantly watch the fortunes 
of these Americans who cannot get away 
from Mexico.' 'Vigilant watching' ; 
'watchful waiting' — the phrase matters 



nothing, for there never is any deed to 
back it up. 

"Three years have passed since the 
date of this oration — turee years of in- 
cessant elocution on the part of Mr. 
Wilson ; three years of repeated invoca- 
tions to humanity and peace by Mr. Wil- 
son ; and Mr. Wilson still continues to 
'vigilantly watch the fortunes of those 
Americans who cannot get away.' There 
are not many of them left now. Hun- 
dreds have been killed, and Mr. Wilson 
has watched their fortunes disinterested- 
ly, as if they had been rats pursued by 
terriers. 

"This administration has displayed no 
more feeling of responsibility for the 
American women who have been raped 
and for the American men, women, and 
children who have been killed in Mexico 
than a farmer shows for the rats killed 
by his dogs when the hay is taken from 
the barn. And now the American people 
are asked to sanction this policy in the 
name of peace, righteousness, and hu- 
manity!" * * * 

"There was no excuse for the recogni- 
tion of Carranza in view of Mr. Wilson's 
failure to recognize Huerta. All the ob- 
jections to Huerta applied with greater 
force to Carranza. Mr. Wilson's apolo- 
gists say that Huerta was the murderer 
of Mexicans. But Mr. Wilson himself, as 
quoted above, has shown that Carranza 
was the murderer of Americans. There- 
fore Mr. Wilson treats the murder of 
Mexicans as a bar to recognition, but not 
the murder of both Americans and Mex- 
icans. 

".\nd now, having condoned the re- 
peated murders of Americans by the Car- 
ranclstas, and having abased himself be- 
fore Carranza, and having aided in plac- 
ing Carranza in power, what is Mr. Wil- 
son's reward, and who pays It? The 
reward is that Mr. Wilson has to place 
150,000 troops on the border to partially 
prevent the raids and murders that his 
friend Mr. Carranza will not or cannot 
prevent. 

"Yet on October 19, 1915, less than a 
month later, this same President Wilson, 
through his same secretary of state, 
formally announced to Carranza's agent 
that it was his 'pleasure' to take the 
opportunity of extending recognition to 
the de facto government of Mexico, of 
which Gen. Venustiano Carranza is the 
chief executive. 

KISSED THE HAND THAT SLAPTED HIM 

"President Wilson thus recognized the 
government which, his own secretary of 
state declares, had been less than a 
month previously engaged In repeated as- 
saults upon Americans and in the inva- 
sion of American soil ; the government at 
whose head was Gen. Carranza, who less 
than two months previously, on August 
2, 1915, had contemptuously refused to 
pay any heed to any representations of 



OVB MEXICAN 3IUDDLE 



135 



President Wilson on behalf of mediation, 
saying that 'under no consideration 
would I permit interference in the in- 
ternal affairs of Mexico.' 

"President Wilson did not merely kiss 
the hand that slapped him in the face. 



He kissed that hand when it was red 
with the blood of American men, women, 
and children, who had been murdered and 
mutilated with, as President Wilson, 
through his secretary of state, says, 
'ruthless brutality.' ♦ * * " 



THE CRITICISM OF A COLLEGE PROFESSOR ON WILSON 
—NOTE THE ACCURACY OF PREDICTION 



San Francisco, Cal., Nov. 4, 1913. — 
The outspoken hostility of David P. Bar- 
rows, president of the University of Cal- 
ifornia, to the Mexican policy of Presi- 
dent Woodrow Wilson. 

"President Wilson's present policy can 
never solve the situation in Mexico. It 
gets us nowhere and its continuance sim- 
ply antagonizes the Mexican people. I 
should like to see in the President's 
chair this morning a man who is pre- 



pared and willing to mobilize the armed 
forces of the United States on the Mexi- 
can border, send warships to Mexican 
waters, make known our demands in 
plain language and take whatever action 
is necessary to see that they are acceded 
to. Intervention in Mexico might be 
called war. Call it what you like. We 
have a right to intervene because our 
interests are now in jeopardy." 



As Professor Burrows' criticism was made in 1913, one can 
easily judge whether the learned gentleman's remarks properly 
apply. 



"WILSON ARMING MEXICANS, LIKE BURGOYNE IN 77--. 

EACH STARTED INDIANS ON WARPATH AGAINST 

AMERICANS, SENATOR LIPPITT SAYS 



Chicago Tribune, Aug. 27, 1916 

Washington, D. C, Aug. 26. — -[Spe- 
cial.] — Senator Lippitt, of Rhode Island, 
made an impressive speech in the Senate 
today, discussing the shortcomings of the 
present administration. 

"Believing that national honor and 
good faith must be placed above all other 
considerations of public policy, to my 
mind the unforgivable thing done by 
President Wilson was lifting the embargo 
February 3, 1914, to allow munitions of 
war to go to Villa and Carranza in Mex- 
ico." said Senator Lippitt. "It is stated 
tbat 72.000 rifles and more than 35,000,- 
000 rounds of ammunition went t^ere by 
August 15. As Col. Harvey described In 
the following September, the result was 
that Mexico hag been a 'shambles, com- 
pared with w'lirh devastated Belgium is 
a German garden.' 



KNEW WHAT WOULD EBSDLT 

"Mr. Wilson could not have been igno- 
rant of the horrible deeds his action 
would cause. But a policy was at stake ; 
peaceful means had failed, so a President 
whose campaign cry is that he has kept 
this country out of war used as an in- 
strument the most horrible and indefen- 
sible kind of warfare ; and all the forces 
of murder, robbery, and unbridled pas- 
sion and lust were armed and encouraged 
to conduct a conflict in which nothing 
was sacred, not even the altars of reli- 
gion. 

"With what does It compare? How 
does It differ from Gen. Burgoyne arming 
the Indians against America in 1777, with 
instructions that, though they might 
scalp the men, women, and children of 
the American frontier, they must see that 
their victims were dead before they were 
scalned. 

"So 140 years later an American Presi- 
dent armed these Indians of Mexico and 
started them on a no less bloody career,'* 



136 



OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 



AMERICAN GIRL OUTRAGED 

In none of his public addresses, nor in his speech of acceptance, 
did President Wilson refer to the unnamable conduct of those Mexi- 
cans who violated unprotected American girls. Mr. Wilson has 
been accused of possessing the sentiments and tendencies of a 
Southerner, but his utter indifference to the fate of American 
women in Mexico indicates that he should not be confounded with 
true Southerners, as the following shows: 

SWORN STATEMENT BY U. S. CITIZEN, AND SIGNED BY 
THE AMERICAN CONSUL, TELLS OF AT- 
TACK UPON TWO GIRLS 



Chicago Examiner, Feh. 27j 1914 

Washington, Feb. 26, 1914.— Docu- 
mentary eviaence that the State Depart- 
ment has concealed charges made by 
Americans in Mexico which are more seri- 
ous than the slaying of William S'. Ben- 
ton were obtained by the Chicago Exam- 
iner today. 

From indisputable proof it was ascer- 
tained : 

That Secretary of State Bryan has for 
months been in possession of a consular 
statement recounting the attack of two 
American girls, Lillie and Edna Gourd, 
near Tampico, but he has done nothing. 

That innumerable complaints have 
been filed against Consul Thomas Ed- 
wards at Juarez charging him with in- 
efliciency and the State Department has 
created the impression that George 
Carothcrs has taken charge In order that 
Edwards might not have to be removed. 

That Mexican soldiers who have killed 
and wounded Americans are now being 
fed at Fort Bliss and no effort has beeu 
made to demand punishment for the kill- 
ings. 

That American consuls in Mexico have 
been given to understand that reports of 
atrocities committed on Americans are 
"considered unwelcome" in Washington. 

The following affidavit by Matthew 
Gourd, formerly of Tampico. has been 
filed with a United States senator. It is 
signed by Clarence A. Miller, United 
States consul at Tampico, and reads, in 
part : 

"On the night of July 26 my niece, 
Edna Gourd, my daughter and myself re- 
tired about 10 o'clock. At 12 o'clock we 
were awakened by three Mexicans who 
knocked on the door and asked me to sell 
them some cigarets. I did this, as it has 
been customary for me to sell little arti- 
cles which I have in commissary to those 
who need them. 

"Supposing that I knew the Mexicans, 



I got the cigarets and handed them over. 
One of the men gave me 60 cents. I 
turned to get the change for them and 
while my back v\as turned they sprang 
upon me, roped me and dragged me some 
distance from tue house. 

"Wiien 1 had been taken some distance 
away they demanded money. I retused 
their request and they took me bacK to 
within twenty feet of tLe house, tied my 
hands behind me, threw the rope end over 
the limb of a tree aud drew it taut until 
my toes barely touched the ground. By 
this time my daughter and niece had 
dressed and nad come to my assistance. 
When thev saw me swinging from tue 
tree they nurried back into tne house to 
give the Mexicans what money we had on 
nand. 

"One of the Mexicans grabbed Edna, 
my niece, but she eluded him and ran 
back into the room. Then Lillie, my 
daughter, came out on the gallery with 
the money — about 50 pesos in Mexican. 
Then another Mexican seized her and 
held her on the porch, while Edna was 
resisting the other Mexican in the house. 
As nearly as I can learn they resisted 
about twenty minutes. Lillie fought un- 
til she fainted." 

The affidavit here gives the shocking 
details of the double crime while the 
father was striving to wrench himself 
free from the ropes which bound his arms 
behind him. Later the affidavit says : 

"I immediately reported the matter to 
Consul Miller by letter and later in per- 
son. I also notified the Huerta govern- 
ment officials, who are stationed about 
seven miles from the house, furnishing 
them with descriptions of the men as I 
recalled them. 

"Thus far the Mexican authorities 
have done absolutely nothing to avenge 
this crime. The only effort at capture 
was made by myself and some of my 
neighbors, who followed the Mexicans." 



I 



OVB MEXICAN MUDDLE 137 

POLITICAL EXCUSES 

''The Democratic Text Book contains the following: 

''The primary purpose behind the Vera Cruz expedition was 
much the same as that in the President's mind when later he 
ordered General Pershing to lead an expeditionary force into north- 
ern Mexico to break up the Villista faction which was behind the 
Columbus raid. 

''The American forces were not sent into Vera Cruz to compel 
a salute to the American flag. When Huerta refused the Presi- 
dent 's ultimatum, he created a need that more complete reparation 
be given for his offenses. That was the sort of reparation which the 
President was intent upon procuring." 

In the case of the Vera Cruz affair, no warning was given, or 
declaration of war made. Many unarmed Mexicans were killed. 

In the case of the punitive expedition, much delay was occa- 
sioned, due to red tape and parley with the Carranza government, 
and the expedition was withdrawn after the Carrizal affair when 
Carranza 's soldiers ambushed and killed some of our best officers 
and a number of troopers. 

But Vera Cruz was not occupied for the purpose of ''pro- 
curing reparation '^ from Huerta. Political "Washington never 
compelled the old warrior to do its bidding in any way. Vera 
Cruz was occupied for one purpose only, viz. : to prevent the land- 
ing of arms and ammunition which was consigned to Huerta — 
and the arms WERE landed, as already stated — at Puerta, Mexico. 

Nor is it a fact that Huerta 's party was guilty of outrages on 
Americans — until Mr. Wilson invited such action by occupying 
Vera Cruz and meddling at Tampico. Had Huerta been recog- 
nized all Americans would have been protected, and, most likely, 
all would still be engaged in uninterrupted business in Mexico. 

But Mr. Wilson did favor, and continues to favor the fac- 
tions which slaughtered uncounted Americans. Are we so indiffer- 
ent to these matters that we propose to condone each and every 
offense ? 



« 



I 

I 



SECTION III 

PREDICTIONS— THE PRESIDENT'S 

ACCEPTANCE — COMMENT 

AND FINIS 



CHAPTER XX 

MR. WILSON'S SPEECH OF ACCEPTANCE AND COM- 
MENTS THEREON. ADDED FALLACIES. THE 
PRESIDENT ENDEAVORS TO DEFEND HIS ERRORS 
BY DEFENDING THE ACTS OF THE BANDITTI OF 
MEXICO. CLOSING CHAPTER WITH PREDICTIONS 
FOR THE NEAR FUTURE. 

We now approach the ''Finis"— the '' Finale "—the ''Ul- 
timo": We are permitted to view, to understand and to analyze 
Mr. Wilson from a different angle — one of many — for he is emi- 
nently capable of glossing over every fault and in making it appear 
that his errors should be condoned, let us say, on the ground that, 
as he is the unapproachable master of pretty sentiment, and of 
specious sophistry (as well as fulsome excuse), then be it that we 
accept his lavish English as the equivalent of the performance of 
deeds, and that we forget his inconsistencies and every evil result- 
ing, either from lack of wisdom, of true diplomacy, or from lack 
of action, or of action too precipitate. 

We must laud the man, Americans, for what he has not done, 
and for what, as he announces, he will never do, based on the 
assumption that his analects place him in the category of matric- 
ulated logomachists — the class with and to whom words are every- 
thing and deeds merely superfluous and offensive. In his own 
inimitable way doth the man succeed in smothering our intelligence 
and our capacity to reason well or not at all. 

The cries of the famished and of our own outraged brethren 
are submerged and blotted out by a gentle pleading and placating 
voice, a voice that would persuade us to believe that its owner is 
a veritable humanitarian and that his one great "passion" is 
definite humane accomplishment rather than the fact that he is 

141 



142 OVB MEXICAN MUDDLE 

animated and wholly absorbed by a still greater passion — with 
desire to be President of the United States for a second term. 

For he is a politician, Americans; a wonderful politician; 
albeit, adroit and perfect in every phase of the game, and we must 
not forget that this is so; therefore, we can not expect from such 
an one any admission whatsoever that shall be hurtful to him, nor 
expect him to let any matter of national importance escape his 
attention, or imagine that he will hesitate to project his person- 
ality into any problems that may arise from which he can derive 
additional votes. 

The Presidential Campaign of 1916 shall be known as the cam- 
paign of elocutional elegance, of the soft spoken word, of ambiguous i 
evasion, of any and every degree of rhetorical manipulation de- 
signed to persuade the people that Woodrow Wilson has been, and 
is, the true friend of the down-trodden of Mexico; the ''white 
god"; the "sun god" of Azetic prophecy, one who hath delivered 
them from bondage and bloodlust. 

But we know better. We know that President Wilson has 
not contributed one jot towards lifting the burdens of the under- 
dogs of Mexico, nor has he saved the life of any Mexican. On the 
contrary, we are well aware of the fact that from day to day, and 
from week to week, and month to month, and year after year ; ever 
since March, 1913, the under dogs of Mexico have been compelled 
to endure unheard of torture and suffering; for their self-styled 
benefactors, or liberators, have forced conditions upon them such 
as Diaz and his coadjutors never dreamt of. And atop of this the 
President pronounces that — "the revolution itself was inevitable 
AND IS RIGHT." Indeed, and Mr. Wilson also asserts: "For it 
is their emancipation that they are seeking — blindly * * * and 
yet ineffectually, but with profound and PASSIONATE (his speech 
would have been incomplete were it minus the word "passion") 
purpose and within their unquestioned right. * * * The Mexi- 
can people are entitled to attempt their liberty from such influ- 
ences; [The president refers to those Americans and Europeans 
who are wholly responsible for all material, educational and ethical 
progress in Mexico] and so long as I have anything to do with the 



i 



OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 143 

action of our great government I shall do everything in my power 
to prevent anyone standing in their way." * * # 

It is of extreme importance that we observe that Mr. Wilson 
proceeds, in the most decided manner, to notify the world, and 
Mexico, and the voters of the United States, that it is his un- 
changeable purpose to sustain the banditti of Mexico — although 
he qualifies this class by using the words "the Mexican people." 

The author will not do Mr. Wilson the honor of believing that 
the President is unaware of the fact that his pretty play on words 
do not refer to the "Mexican people." The author is of the opinion 
that Mr. Wilson is well aware of the fact that the * ' Mexican people 
are not seeking their emancipation"; but Mr. Wilson finds it 
necessary to divert the attention of the people of the United States 
away from the contemplation of his stupendous erix)rs relating 
to his methods, so far as Mexico is concerned. Mr. Wilson must 
be well aware that the Mexican people will never be emancipated 
as long as he is President of the United States, or that it is now, 
or that it has ever been the intention of men like Madero, Car- 
ranza. Villa, Fierro or Zapata, to bring about the liberation of 
"the Mexican people." 

And what does Mr. Wilson propose to do when the people of 
the United States properly awaken and realize that his eloquent 
beatitudes have dissolved and were only intended to cover admin- 
istrative errors? What does he intend to do when the fact can 
be no longer hidden — that "the Mexican people" have not been 
emancipated, and that no Mexican in power has or ever intends 
to give them real liberty ? What then 1 

Will Mr. Wilson — provided he is reelected — send the army into 
Mexico and see to it that "the Mexican people" ARE emancipated? 

MR. WILSON'S SPEECH OF ACCEPTANCE DISSECTED 

OR ANALYZED. 

On Saturday, September 2, 1916, Mr. Wilson delivered his 
speech of acceptance, indicating that he would be the standard 
bearer of the Democratic party for reelection to the high office of 
President of the United States. 



144 



OUR MEXICAN MUDDLE 



Referring to Mexico, and somewhat to liis so-called Mexican 
policy, the President said : 



No. 1 

We have professed to believe, and we 
do believe, that the people of small and 
weak states have the right to expect to 
be dealt with exactly as the people of big 
and powerful states would be. We have 
acted upon that principle in dealing with 
the people of Mexico. 

No. 2 

Our recent pursuit of bandits into Mex- 
ican territory was no violation of that 
principle. We ventured to enter Mexican 
territory only because there were no mili- 
tary forces in Mexico that could protect 
our border from hostile attack and our 
own people from violence, and we have 
committed there no single act of hostil- 
itv or interference even with the sover- 
eign authority of the Republic of Mexico 
herself. It was a plain case of the viola- 
tion of our own sovereignty which could 
not wait to be vindicated by damages and 
for which there was no other remedy. 
The authorities of Mexico were powerless 
to prevent it. 

No. 3 

Many serious wrongs against the prop- 
erty, many irreparable wrongs against 
the' persons, of Americans have been com- 
mitted within the territory of Mexico 
herself during this confused revolution, 
wrongs which could not be effectually 
checked so long as there was no consti- 
tuted power in Mexico which was in a 
position to check them. We could not 
act directly in that matter ourselves 
without denying Mexicans the right to 
any revolution at all which disturbed us 
and making the emancipation of her own 
people await our own interest and con- 
venience. 

No. 4 

For it Is their emancipation that they 
are seeking — blindly, it may be, and as 
yet ineffectually, but with profound and 
passionate purpose and within their un- 
questionable right, apply what true Amer- 
ican principle you will — any principle 
that an American would publicly avow. 
The people of Mexico have not been suf- 
fered to own their own country or direct 
their own institutions. Outsiders, men 
out of other nations and with interests 
too often alien to their own, have dic- 
tated what their privilege and opportuni- 
ties should be and who should control 
their land, their lives and their resources 
— some of them Americans, pressing for 
things they could never have got in their 
own country. 



No. 5 

The Mexican people are entitled to at- 
tempt their liberty from such influences ; 
and so long as I have anything to do with 
the action of our great government I 
shall do everything in my power to pre- 
vent anyone standing in their way. I 
know that this is hard for some persons 
to understand ; but it is not hard for the 
plain people of the United States to un- 
derstand. It is hard doctrine only for 
those who wish to get something for 
themselves out of Mexico. 

No. 6 

There are men, and noble women, too, 
not a few, of our own people, thank God, 
whose fortunes are invested in great 
properties in Mexico who yet see the case 
with true vision and assess its issues with 
true American feeling. The rest can be 
left for the present out of the reckoning 
until this enslaved people has had its day 
of struggle toward the light. I have 
heard no one who was free from such in- 
fluences propose interference by the 
L'nited States with the internal affairs 
of Mexico. Certainly no friend of the 
Mexican people has proposed it. 

No. 7 

The people of the United States are 
capable of great sympathies and a noble 
pity in dealing with problems of this 
kind. As their spokesman and represen- 
tative, I have tried to act in the spirit 
they would wish me to show. The people 
of Mexico are striving for the rights that 
are fundamental to life and happiness — 
fifteen million oppressed men, overbur- 
dened women, and pitiful children in vir- 
tual bondagp in their own home of fer- 
tile lands and inexhaustible treasure ! 
Some of the leaders of the revolution may 
often have been mistaken and violent and 
selfish, but the revolution itself was inev- 
itable and is right. 

No. 8 

The unspeakable Huerta betrayed the 
very comrades he served, traitorously 
overthrew the government of which he 
was a trusted part, impudently spoke for 
the very forces that had driven his peo- 
ple to the rebellion with which he bad 
pretended to sympathize. The men who 
overcame him and drove him out repre- 
sent at least the fierce passion of recon- 
struction which lies at the very heart of 
liberty ; and so long as they represent, 
however imperfectly, such a struggle for 
deliverance, T am ready to serve their 
ends when I can. 



OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 



145 



No. 9 

So long as the power of recognition 
rests with me tiie government of the 
United States will refuse to extend the 
hand of welcome to anyone who obtains 
power in a sister republic by treachery 
and violence. No permanency can be 
given the affairs of any republic by a 
title based upon intrigue and assassina- 
tion. I declared that to be the policy of 
this administration within three weeks 
after I assumed the presidency. I here 
again vow it. I am more interested in 
the fortunes of oppressed men and piti- 
ful women and children than in any 



property rights whatever. Mistakes I 
have no doubt made in this perplexing 
business, but not in purpose or object. 

No. 10 
More is involved than the immediate 
destinies of Mexico and the relations of 
the United States with a distressed and 
distracted people. All America looks on. 
Test is now being made of us whether we 
be sincere lovers of popular liberty or not 
and are indeed to be trusted to respect 
national sovereignty among our weaker 
neighbors. We have undertaken these 
many years to play big brother to the re- 
publics of this hemisphere. 



COMMENT 



Concerning paragraph No. 1 : During the month of February, 
1914, a revolution broke out in Peru. The regular elected Presi- 
dent, Guillermo [which is the Spanish equivalent for William] 
Billinghurst was deposed and sent into exile, something like one 
hundred Peruvians were killed during the progress of the coup 
d'etat, which was engineered by a Peruvian named Boza. This 
affair was operated after the manner of the coup d'etat executed 
by Huerta and associates, just one year previously. 

During the month of February, 1914, Mr. Wilson w^as very 
much occupied with the problem of "how to eliminate Huerta"; 
and Mr. Wilson was smarting from the affronts inflicted by the 
"unspeakable usurper," yet the new government of Peru — one 
which obtained existence through "treachery and violence," and 
"based on intrigue and assassination," WAS welcomed, or recog- 
nized by this government. The reader will note, by perusing the 
ninth paragraph, that Mr. Wilson states that "within three weeks 
after I assumed the Presidency I declared that the United States 
would not welcome a sister republic" — "with blood-stained hands." 

But Mr. Wilson "recognized" the new government of Peru. 

After continuous revolution in Haiti — or Santo Domingo — 
where the people were "seeking their emancipation" precisely 
along the same lines as followed by the banditti of Mexico, Mr. 
Wilson decided to step in and end the farce and degrading human 
slaughter. 



146 OVE MEXICAN MUDDLE 

Certainly his action was both right and practical. Not only- 
right and practical but very effective. 

Naturally we want to know why similar action was not taken 
in regard to Mexico. We realize that the President has been, and 
is inconsistent, and that he has not ''dealt precisely" with Haiti 
as he did with Mexico — but why? 

In paragraph No. 2 we are told that Mexico was powerless to 
prevent hostile attack on our people, hence the punitive expedition 
was necessary. 

Now consider the facts : If Mexico — that is, Carranza, had an 
army, the number would approximate 20,000. We say 20,000, 
although Carranza would have stated 50,000. When Villa attacked 
Columbus he was credited with having a following of 500 bandits. 
In the South Zapata had — possibly — 1,000 men. 

Since Carranza had no less than 20,000 soldiers, or 50,000, 
according to the Mexican's estimate, why was it "impossible" to 
guard the border from attack by a small force such as Villa 
commanded ? 

Why was it necessary for Carranza to maintain, and why is it 
necessary for the crafty Mexican to maintain an army numbering 
50,000 ? 

Why necessary, when the Mexican has been assured by Mr. 
Wilson that the United States will not molest him — and he need 
fear Villa no longer ? 

So far as Mr. Wilson is concerned, he merely offers lame 
excuse to blind us concerning the fact that the punitive expedition 
was ill-timed and impractical, also blind us to the fact that our 
different adventures into Mexico have cost the United States some- 
thing like $150,000,000, the loss of many brave American soldiers, 
causing likewise the murder of hundreds of Americans, without 
accomplishing any object whatsoever, and has left Mexico in worse 
shape than ever. 

But Mr. Wilson carefully avoided all reference to these matters. 

Instead he deals out beatitudes most generously. 

Answering No. 3 : Had Mr. Wilson recognized the ' ' unspeak- 
able Huerta," at least the great humanitarian would have had a 



OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 147 

bloodless Mexico to deal with, while he remained President — pro- 
vided Huerta lived. 

However, not under Huerta, nor any Mexican, or the people 
of Mexico, shall Mexico ever attain real emancipation, not as long 
as Mexico is governed by a Mexican. 

Mr. Wilson does not recognize the truth and force of this 
statement. 

Paragraph No. 4 : Evidently Mr. Wilson secured his informa- 
tion concerning the influence of '^ outsiders" from the class he 
designated as ' 'liars, '^ for no man who has resided in Mexico, and 
is conversant with real conditions there, is aware of the fact that 
*'men of other nations dictated,'' etc., and etc. 

Mr. Wilson well knows by grievous and chagrined experience, 
that he, himself, an ''outsider," attempted to "dictate" what 
should be the policy of the Mexican people and the Mexican govern- 
ment, and Mr. Wilson knows that he failed most ignominiously, for 
the Mexican people would have none of him, and, as we greatly 
suspect, the Mexican people question the sincerity of our President, 
as the following clipping from "El Pais," a paper published in 
Mexico City, indicates: 

"President Wilson has not resolved to proceed frankly and 
openly against Mexico, doubtless because he comprehends the 
colossal injustice of his cause ; but he searches for allies and accom- 
plices in the crime against humanity plotted in the White House 
of annihilating and despoiling us as in the time of Santa Ana. 

"And to this end tend all the efforts of the Puritan President 
and we know by recent dispatches that an effort is being made to 
bring about a combined diplomatic movement by at least some of 
the European powers to sanction acts which the American govern- 
ment may attempt against Mexico." 

Paragraphs 4 and 5, as will be noted, are criticised elsewhere. 

So far as No. 6 is concerned, we challenge the President to 
furnish the names of Americans possessing property in, and have 
resided in Mexico, who will state that they believe that his course, 
or policy, in regard to Mexico should be indorsed or commended. 

In the city of Chicago certain ex-Southerners reside. They 



148 OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 

are also members of the ''Southern Club." Likewise they own 
property in Mexico, to which add the fact that, while they are 
Democrats, they do not indorse Mr. Wilson's Mexican policy. 

At the same time they have sho\ATi that they do not care to 
anger the President by admitting such fact or by trying to per- 
suade him to intervene in Mexico. 

The author is free of every invested or investing influence, 
so far as Mexico is concerned, and in the most conclusive and 
definite manner, he insists that the only way to remedy evil con- 
ditions in Mexico, to end murder and debauchery, and assure real 
emancipation for the Mexican people is through the medium of 
intervention. 

In paragraph No. 7 note that Mr. Wilson admits that he is 
aware that 15,000,000 oppressed men, women and children are held 
in virtual bondage, but the President DOES NOT ADMIT that 
such men as Carranza, Villa and Zapata continue to enslave them, 
nor does he indicate that it is the purpose of these men to effect 
their release. 

The American public may as well understand that the revolu- 
tionaries of Mexico will never consider the welfare of the sub- 
merged millions referred to by the President. 

Mr. Wilson calls Huerta the ''unspeakable." At the same 
time he carefully avoided all reference to our "pet" bandit, 
Pancho Villa, the cut-throat applauded by Mr. Wilson on the occa- 
sion when interviewed by Mr. Blythe. The cut-throat to whom 
Mr. Wilson sent, as personal representative, one of the high gen- 
erals of the American army, begging the "pet" bandit to be good 
lest he be deprived of presidential preferment. 

Yet Huerta was an angel of light compared with those opposed 
to him, but our chief executive must find some manner of excuse to 
gloss over his awful mistakes relating to Mexico. So Huerta dead 
must bear the burden. 

By careful perusal of each paragraph we learn that every 
word, however beautifully expressed, appears to be designed to 
turn the reader from the real facts. The President could not as 
a politician refer to the horrors that have increased in Mexico since 



OVB MEXICAN MUDDLE 149 

he entered the White House. He did not dare to touch upon the 
private reports and experiences of his personal representatives, 
particularly the two consular agents accredited to Villa and Car- 
ranza, nor let us know how the first battle between the two ' ' eman- 
cipators" was deferred during the fall of 1914 until the elections 
were held; nor does the President enlighten us concerning the 
peculiar phase of diplomacy now in effect with Carranza, but the 
American people can rest assured that every effort will be put 
forth by political Washington to prevent further disturbance in 
Mexico — that is, until the presidential election is held. 

Mr. Wilson must be well aware that one violent outbreak in 
Mexico before election day will materially weaken his chances. 
Therefore it is necessary to prevent all disturbance there. 

Villa knows this, and he KNOWS it better than any American 
not in the confidence of political Washington — and Villa will try 
to create a diversion BEFORE the election. 

Every Mexican now knows what he CAN DO if Mr. Wilson 
is reelected, for is it not true that Mr. Wilson has just assured 
them that, if he be President, they can go on and on — endlessly as 
savages ? 

Though, of course, the President extends the privilege in some- 
what different language. 



CHAPTER XXI 

EL ULTIMO— THE FUTURE. 

The emancipation of the Mexican people will never be brought 
about by the application of amiable felicitations. Beatitudes are as 
ineffective as a snowfall in Hades. Nor should any man be so 
utterly deficient in common intelligence as to permit himself to be 
deluded by asseverations of this nature. In fact, it is unbelievable 
that President Wilson has any confidence in his own idealistic 
expressions. 

And yet it is to be regretted that the Mexican people can not 
attain their liberty through the medium of mere idealism. 

But Mexico is a land of human realities and of varied and 
unusual realities. "We find men and women living in Mexico as 
mortals lived 4,000 years ago or as savages live in tropic countries, 
and as men Live who represent the highest ethical culture. 

Nevertheless there are hundreds of thousajids in Mexico who 
lived when revolution was the rule years ago — the order of the day 
— ^when blood flowed as water and reddened the desert sands. Such 
men do not forget, not while they live, and they are the instructors 
of the generations of today. 

Nor must we forget that nature is self-assertative. A wolf has 
its peculiar nature, tendencies or disposition; so too the bear, the 
ox, the eagle, the dove and the lamb ; therefore, it is necessary that 
we study the Mexican revolutionary as he is. 

To shed human blood is his joy and delight. Of this he is very 
conscious. Lofty beatitudes he knoweth not. Force, the great 
remedial agent, is all that appeals to him. Only by applying 
forceful measures may we ever hope to curb his bloodthirsty 
appetite. 

Mr. Wilson says : * ' the revolution itself was right. * * * 
I am ready to serve their ends when I can.'^ 

150 



U 



OVB MEXICAN MUDDLE ' 151 

If the President were just plain, everyday academic Wood- 
row Wilson ; President-professor of a great college and an acknowl- 
edged humanitarian, we might understand and appreciate his 
statements. 

But he is the President of the United States. He represents 
the majority millions who did not vote for him as well as the 
professional politicians and the lay members of his own party. The 
great majority have some rights, and those who know Mexico are 
entitled to consideration. 

Coming down to a plain statement of fact : is it not true that 
Mr. Wilson is a politician first, then an American ? And is it not 
true that he really believes that the American people are easy to 
be deceived and that they will reelect him to serve a second term ? 

By this it is intended to convey the impression that Mr. Wil- 
son is convinced that the people are more inclined to sustain theo- 
retical and idealistic humanitarianism, rather than employ forceful 
and compulsory methods for the purpose of making the Mexicans 
cease all savagery. 

If this is so, the author does not agree with the President. 
The author believes that the majority of the people of the United 
States would have exalted Mr. Wilson to the very skies if he had 
carried out any practical plan designed to end anarchy in Mexico. 
That this is true was evidenced by the attitude of the people when 
Vera Cruz was occupied, and again when General Pershing was 
sent after Villa, although the nation at large had no idea of the 
real motif which induced Mr. Wilson to order the capture of the 
Mexican port. 

VAGARIES AND FOLLY OF THE MONROE DOCTRINE 

**No less than ninety-nine percent of the people consider the 
so-called Monroe Doctrine to be inspired, the product of inspira- 
tion, as composed of words conjured up and backed by the powers 
of Deity, rather than the fact that it was merely a political expe- 
dient, and on occasion, was used as a lever to aid the political 
ambitions of one of our presidents. 



152 OVB MEXICAN MUDDLE 

James Monroe possessed far less knowledge of the character 
of the Spaniard and of Latin-Americans than does the average 
school boy of today, which, admittedly, is little. Referring to this 
fact, it is well to bear in mind that the now famous doctrine (or 
political hobgoblin) has had somewhat to do with the affairs of 
Mexico, inasmuch as the ''doctrine" has been used to shield Mexican 
murderers from the just vengeance of Europeans, who, outraged 
and indignant, desired to administer well-deserved punishment, 
but refrained, due to deference and respect for the United States. 
James Monroe became president at the time the dependencies of 
Spain had succeeded in obtaining so-called independence. Also 
was it true that General ' ' Hickory ' ' Jackson had practically driven 
the Dons out of Florida, for be it known, that Florida was a Span- 
ish possession until 1820. Hence we were not friendly toward 
Spain in 1823. 

Therefore, Mr. Monroe, a disciple of our own revolutionary 
school, and an exponent of true liberty, felt called upon to pro- 
nounce sentiments pleasing to the new-born republics, and designed 
his doctrine to stand as a warning to Spain, should the one-time 
mistress of the world seek to deprive the infant republic of well- 
earned independence. 

Naturally, all Americans sjrmpathized with the Spanish-speak- 
ing peoples of North and South America. Was it not a fact that 
the echoes of our own struggle for independence still rang out, 
and that we had scarce disarmed the army of 1812-14 as a conse- 
quence of our second brush with old England ? 

Naturally, also, we imagined that all peoples struggling to 
gain political liberty and independence were like ourselves and 
that they were animated by the same exalted sentiments and attrib- 
utes ; also that the principles for which they fought were the same 
and that in the end, their lives, their policies, their constitutions ; 
in fact, that in every way they would be as we were, and would 
grow in proportion as we developed. 

In other w^ords, we were dreamers. Our imagination ran away 
with us. Our opinions and conceptions were all wrong. In real 
fact we were densely ignorant. We did not know anything about 



OVR MEXICAN MUDDLE 153 

Mexico and the Mexicans, nor of the Spanish-speaking peoples of 
Central and South America. Nor did James Monroe, president, 
and by much the same token, the mass of Americans are not well 
infomied concerning Mexico, and it serves the purpose of certain 
politicians, to keep our people in ignorance of the facts relating 
to our neighbor. 

At the time President Monroe drafted his so-called ** doctrine," 
our people were much incensed against the Spanish, and we were 
disposed to assail anything and everything involving Spanish dom- 
ination. We even contemplated the emancipation of Cuba, which 
was held in bondage — with the certitude of finally involving us in 
a war with Spain. But we hesitated. "We procrastinated. In 
1898 the inevitable happened. Spain was forever smashed and 
Cuba given a degree of liberty such as is not possessed by any 
Spanish-speaking peoples in the "Western Hemisphere, save Porto 
Rico. 

In passing, it may be said that had Mr. Monroe known the true 
character of the people he proposed to protect ; had he known that 
Mexican cut-throats would find refuge beneath the stars and stripes 
by invoking or provoking the protection of this government under 
the provisions of the Monroe Doctrine, it is likely that the instru- 
ment, or political vehicle, would never have been promulgated." 

THE BUSINESS MEN AND BANKERS OF MEXICO 
REFINED AND HONORABLE 

When a people have attained true culture they are entitled 
to such designation. When they are honorable and dependable in 
all business transactions they are entitled to full credit, considera- 
tion, and trust. The bankers and merchants of Mexico approach 
the maximum so far as relates to the possession of and the exercise 
of such desirable characteristics. Their word of honor is the 
equivalent of a properly attested bond. Full dependence can be 
placed in all they say, or in any promise made by them. In this 
respect they differ entirely from the military or revolutionary 
classes. In fact, the business men of Mexico are in no wise involved 



154 OVR MEXICAN MUDDLE 

in the various revolutions ; that is, not willingly. They are involved, 
of course, but only as victims to the cupidity and violence of the 
banditti. ' 

The business men of Mexico are courteous, refined, cultured, 
and are progressive, as is proven by the fact that since Americans 
were encouraged to work in harmony with them. They have ex- 
panded and many splendid modern stores were erected in the larger 
cities during the past fifteen years. 

The merchants and progressives of Mexico acknowledge that 
the marvelous advances made during the decade, ending 1911, was 
entirely due to the influence of certain Americans. General Diaz 
retained the services of an American adviser for many years. All 
medicinal, surgical, sanitary, railway, educational, agricultural, 
political, and religious liberty, (such as it was) and all progres- 
sive development in Mexico, was wholly due to American genius 
and energy. 

Nevertheless, political Washington avers that Americans have 
no rights and no business to be in Mexico. Our academic Presi- 
dent contends that it is highly improper for Americans to attempt 
to civilize or aid the Mexican people in any manner. The Presi- 
dent contends tliat the Mexican people be permitted to evolve and 
progress without exterior aid or suggestions. Mr. "Wilson ignores 
the point that, were it a fact that American genius and capital had 
not ventured into Mexico, then Mexico would have stood still and 
its millions be in darkness still. 



CHAPTER XXII 

PREDICTIONS MADE BY THE AUTHOR IN 1913 AND 1914, 
WITH SUGGESTIONS CONCERNING THE SOLU- 
TION OF THE MEXICAN PROBLEM— IN 
THE END THE MUDDLE WILL 
HAVE TO BE SOLVED 

THE PREDICTIONS APPEAR IN QUOTATION: 

CONDITIONS SAME NOW AS IN 1913-1914 

As the same conditions obtain at the present time, precisely as 
in 1913-1914, when the writer prepared a work on Mexico, and as 
the solution of the difficulty, or problem, remains the same, and 
the revolutionaly leaders of Mexico have not changed in the least, 
the following paragraphs should prove interesting. They should 
aid the reader in properly understanding Mexico and Mexican 
character, at least to the extent of enabling one to judge whether 
the course followed by political Washington has been based on 
good judgment and the facts; and whether Washington is any 
nearer a solution of the problem now than in May, 1913, and again 
in May, 1914, when the Vera Cruz fiasco occurred. 

At least we shall learn that the Mexican muddle is easy to 
understand, and easy to solve — easy for all of us except political 
Washington. 

**If there comes a man capable of establishing even compara- 
tive order and prosperity, such will last only long enough to en- 
able others to prepare a new revolt, for out of nowhere disturbers 
will arise, and the country will go through the same performance 
with which we are familiar. 

"The peon imagines that every new upstart will lead him to 
glory and riches. When the present disturbance is ended we shall 
find that this class will be worse off than when Madero played his 

155 



156 OUB MEXICAN MUDDLE 

confidence game on them by promising all manner of rewards and 
a distribution of confiscated lands among them." * * * * * 

INTERVENTION NECESSARY 



{ I 



In fact, we cannot avoid the issue. We may delay the act, 
and delay may be a feature of our so-called diplomacy. But in 
the end we will have to act. It is so written. It is the law of 
destiny. It shall be the result of the blood sacrifice. Mr. Wilson 
cannot turn aside the finger of fate. 

''I am a propagandist of fact. Mere theory, opinion, plans, 
watchful waiting, the folly of the impractical, all such must be put 
aside. 

* ' There is but one course — one that is right and effective ; one 
that is right and practical; one that will insure peace in Mexico 
for all ages, and such can only be accomplished by the complete 
dominance of Mexico by the United States. 

"We do not want peace for a day or a year, but for all time 
to come. 

"Intervention was necessary from the very first. No amount 
of evasion, or schemes to evade our plain duty, either for political 
effect or because we lack in knowledge, will be accepted. We 
must act, 

"Actual conquest would be more to the point, and is the log- 
ical conclusion, and will be the final act, when we possess a Presi- 
dent who is not a dreamer. ************ 

"Whatever happens in Mexico — other than complete and ab- 
solute domination by the United States, at least for a period of 

time sufficient and necessary to enable us to convert the country — 
is pre-doomed to failure. The elimination of Huerta (this para- 
graph was written about December, 1913) means nothing whatso- 
ever. There is not — and the Mexican was never born, nor will one 
ever exist — ^who is capable of establishing and maintaining true 
law and order, or in permitting true liberty to exist in Mexico. 
The salvation of the country depends wholly upon the United 
States. 



OVU MEXICAN MUDDLE 157 



cc 



First, armed forces are necessary. Then follows educational 
and civilizing methods, such as we introduced in Porto Rico. 
The impractical opinions of those who do not know Mexico, 
and of those who are incapable of formulating a practical method 
designed to guarantee desired results, must be absolutely ignored. 
Men with mere opinions are not wanted. We do not want those 
who hesitate, who are fearful and apprehensive, especially those 
who anticipate that they will lose votes were they to do what is 
right. Such men are obstructionists, and only aid in increasing 
the evils which we desire to eliminate, and which can never be 
eliminated by the application of plausible and sentimental expla- 

.• M. M. At. M. ^ Al. At. M^ M. M. M^ .3M. M. .t^ M. M. 

''Had President Wilson been practical from the first; had he 
been as decided in intention and in effort to end anarchy in 
Mexico as he was in clinging to his ineffectual policy of watchful 
waiting, he would have truly served humanity, for by so doing he 
would have prevented the slaughter of every man who has met 
death in Mexico since May 1, 1913. Had the President been a true 
humanitarian; had he acted instead of spouting sentiment, he 
would be the most popular President the United States has ever 
had. As it is, it is not now likely that he will regain popular favor. 
Mexico may be his political Waterloo." ******** 

However, Mr. Wilson's policies in relation to Mexico have only 
served to humiliate this great nation, nor is it possible for presi- 
dential magnanimity to salve our wounded feelings. We prefer 
to express our own opinions. We know that Mr. Wilson does not 
intend to do anything to end disorder in Mexico, hence if he is 
reelected we can only expect conditions in Mexico to grow worse 
instead of better, and the author desires to go on record as stating 
that they will grow worse if Mr. Wilson remains President. 

FORCE 

Force is the only corrective agent which the Mexicans will 
recognize. Unless the United States actually imposes forceful 
measures upon the self-styled "emancipators," the revolution will 
go on ceaselessly. 



158 OVn MEXICAN MUDDLE 

If Villa and Zapata are eliminated others will take their 
places. Besides, the old Federalist party is not dead by any means, 
and we may confidently look forward for the resurrection of the 
bolder votaries. None of the old guard associated with the great 
Diaz will lead the new hosts dedicated to blood-letting, but we shall 
find many of the younger element alive to opportunity. 

Then we must not forget that Carranza can not last forever. 
And he grows old as did Diaz before him. He lives in an atmos- 
phere of intrigue and assassination. His end might occur at any 
moment. 

But be this as it may, Carranza will not differ one whit from 
Diaz in his attitude towards the mass of the Mexican people. 
Hence, if a revolt takes place, Mr. Wilson can do no less than 
indorse it as he did in the case of Carranza and had hoped to do 
with Villa. 

Likewise is it true that Can-anza represents only a small 
percentage of the Mexican people — as did Madero — while the vast 
majority were always of the party of Diaz or Huerta — hence true 
Federalists. 

"What we must do, and w^hat we shall be able to accomplish 
for the definite good of the Mexican people, can only be done when 
Mr. Wilson is no longer President. 



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OVR MEXICAN MUDDLE 159 



THEEE HUMANITAEIANS 

THEODORE ROOSEVELT 

"Who has earned the admiration and plaudits of all men "by 
giving to the world the Panama Canal, thus contributing imper- 
ishable glory to the United States and accomplishing a monu- 
mental service for all humanity. 

CHARLES EVANS HUGHES 

Who has not hesitated to attack the futile policies of political 
Washington, particularly relating to Mexico. Who unhesitatingly 
pledges that, as president of the United States, he will protect the 
lives and property of all Americans and end anarchy in Mexico. 

WOODROW WILSON 

Who, with equal decision, — or *' passion" — states that he will 
aid the revolutionists of Mexico, and insists that they be permitted 
to reek in blood-lust under the caption as, ''struggling to gain their 
liberties." 

WHICH HUMANITARIAN APPEALS TO YOU? 



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